Barnsole Primary School, Gillingham

In its own words: "Barnsole Primary School is a values-based learning community, committed to the education of the whole child. We achieve high academic standards and believe these are best achieved in the context of a rich curriculum that is engaging, innovative and personalised to individual needs. At Barnsole, our eleven values underpin all that we do."

From the headteacher's welcome: "I would like to welcome you to Barnsole Primary School. Barnsole is a school where every day we feel a deep sense of pride in our children and all they achieve. Our children are happy at school and enjoy learning. They have excellent attitudes to their learning, behave well and care for one another."

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care, from £6 per morning.

In 2025, 65% of Year 6 pupils at Barnsole Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 64% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 72% in Medway and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 57% in reading and 56% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 61 families put Barnsole Primary School as their first choice and 183 named it as one of their preferences, for 60 places offered. That is slightly more first choices than places. 2 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Barnsole Primary School are Napier Community Primary and Nursery Academy (0.2 miles, Good, 90% reading, 87% maths); St Mary's Catholic Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 77% reading, 67% maths); The Academy of Woodlands (0.5 miles, Good, 74% reading, 72% maths); and Byron Primary School (0.5 miles, Requires improvement, 65% reading, 60% maths).

Barnsole Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Barnsole Primary School is one of 13 schools run by Maritime Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 67% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

37.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest railway station is Gillingham (Kent) Rail Station, about 650 metres away (roughly a 8-minute walk).

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is School (e-bound), 40 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 676 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Medway (250), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Barnsole Primary School issued 18 suspensions, 2.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Barnsole Primary School are The Robert Napier School (0.4 miles), Hospital and Medical Tuition Service (0.7 miles), Chatham Grammar (0.7 miles) and Brompton Academy (0.8 miles).