Best 3 Secondary schools in Rochester – comparison

Q: How are these comparisons built?

We align public datasets side-by-side. Headline Ofsted judgement and publication date are shown when available. Exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are available to Pro users; free users see rounded values.

Q: What if a school has a recent ungraded visit?

Ungraded Section 8 visits do not replace the last graded judgement. We continue to show the latest graded judgement until a new graded inspection is published.

Q: Why can’t I see exact numbers?

To keep the service sustainable, exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are Pro features. Everyone can still compare approximate values.

Q: How should I choose a school?

Start with the most recent graded Ofsted judgement, then consider distance and travel, roll versus capacity, and the admissions policy. Visit the school, ask about pastoral support and enrichment, and ensure it fits your child’s needs.

Q: What should I look for when comparing schools?

Compare headline Ofsted and publication dates for recency; check FSM% and local context; review capacity utilisation (under, near, or over capacity); and look at trust or local authority governance. Read the official Ofsted report for curriculum and safeguarding details.

Comparison of secondary schools: Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School (Secondary) in Rochester; The Rochester Grammar School (Secondary) in Rochester; The Thomas Aveling School (Secondary) in Rochester — covering Ofsted outcomes, size, FSM%, governance, capacity & more.

At a glance

This page compares Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School, The Rochester Grammar School and The Thomas Aveling School. They are secondary phase and academy converter type located around Rochester, Kent. The strongest headline Ofsted judgement here is 1 (Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School), published May 2023. The lowest is 2 (The Rochester Grammar School), published Mar 2023. The most recent inspection on record is for Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School (May 2023). average roll around ≈ 1,300, combined total ≈ 3,900, typical FSM 15–20%, range 10–15%–30–35%; spread across trusts such as Leigh Academies Trust, The Thinking Schools Academy Trust and BEYOND SCHOOLS TRUST.

🔒 Export (Pro)

Attribute	Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School ME1 3EL	The Rochester Grammar School ME1 3BY	The Thomas Aveling School ME1 2UW
Phase / Type	Secondary • Academy converter	Secondary • Academy converter	Secondary • Academy converter
Location	Rochester Kent ME1 3EL	Rochester Kent ME1 3BY	Rochester Kent ME1 2UW
Latest Ofsted	1 18 May 2023	2 5 Mar 2023	2 11 Jul 2016
Ofsted report	—	—	—
Pupils (roll)	≈ 1,550 🔒 Unlock exact pupils	≈ 1,150 🔒 Unlock exact pupils	≈ 1,200 🔒 Unlock exact pupils
FSM %	10–15% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %	10–15% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %	30–35% 🔒 Unlock exact FSM %
Capacity	1280	1110	1204
Capacity utilisation	Over capacity 🔒 View exact %	Near capacity 🔒 View exact %	Near capacity 🔒 View exact %
Age range	—	—	—
Gender	Boys	Girls	Mixed
Admissions policy	Selective	Selective	Non-selective
Trust / Local authority	Leigh Academies Trust	The Thinking Schools Academy Trust	BEYOND SCHOOLS TRUST
Website	www.sjwms.org.uk	www.rochestergrammar.org.uk	www.thomasaveling.co.uk
Telephone	01634844008	03333602120	01634844809
SEN provision	None reported	None reported	None reported
Profile	View profile	View profile	View profile

Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School

ME1 3EL

Phase / Type: Secondary • Academy converter
Location: Rochester
Kent
ME1 3EL
Ofsted: 1 18 May 2023
Pupils: ≈ 1,550 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 10–15% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: Leigh Academies Trust
Website: www.sjwms.org.uk
Telephone: 01634844008

The Rochester Grammar School

ME1 3BY

Phase / Type: Secondary • Academy converter
Location: Rochester
Kent
ME1 3BY
Ofsted: 2 5 Mar 2023
Pupils: ≈ 1,150 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 10–15% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: The Thinking Schools Academy Trust
Website: www.rochestergrammar.org.uk
Telephone: 03333602120

The Thomas Aveling School

ME1 2UW

Phase / Type: Secondary • Academy converter
Location: Rochester
Kent
ME1 2UW
Ofsted: 2 11 Jul 2016
Pupils: ≈ 1,200 🔒 Exact value
FSM %: 30–35% 🔒 Exact %
Trust / LA: BEYOND SCHOOLS TRUST
Website: www.thomasaveling.co.uk
Telephone: 01634844809

Unlock Full School Data — Advanced Search & Exports

Apply deep filters (phase, type, trust, region, town, postcode-area) and export clean CSV/Excel/PDF reports — all ad-free and ready for your analysis.

Advanced filters Full dataset access CSV & Excel export Ad-free browsing

Upgrade to Pro today and lock in today’s rate — all future tools included.

See Pro plans Create account

Built for professionals

All the data you need — export-ready for reports, dashboards and presentations.

Full dataset access: pupil counts, FSM %, inspection history & more.
Export tools: one-click CSV, Excel & PDF for immediate download.
Search & filter across: region, district, city, county, local authority, trust, school type, gender, religion—and combinations.
Refine by metrics: number of pupils, capacity, % FSM, postcode-area & more.

Map of compared schools

How are these comparisons built?

We line up public school data side-by-side. Ofsted “headline” judgement is shown with the publication date when available. Exact pupil counts and precise FSM% are available to Pro users; everyone sees rounded values.

What if a school has a recent ungraded visit?

Ungraded visits (Section 8) check whether the previous graded judgement still stands, but do not replace it. We keep the latest graded judgement as the headline until a new graded inspection is published.

Why can’t I see exact numbers?

To keep the service sustainable, we show approximate pupils and bucketed FSM% to free users. Upgrade to AllSchools Pro to unlock precise figures and exports.

How should I choose a school?

Start with the most recent graded Ofsted judgement, then check whether it aligns with your child’s needs. Look at distance and travel, typical class sizes (roll vs capacity), and the school’s admissions policy. Speak to the school, arrange a visit, and ask about pastoral support and enrichment.

What should I look for when comparing schools?

Compare headline Ofsted and publication dates for recency; check FSM% and local context; scan capacity utilisation (under, near, or over capacity); and review trust/local authority for governance. If available, read the official Ofsted report for curriculum and safeguarding detail.