MEPA ACADEMY
Same Kent area with a comparable local commute
School profile
Verified 18 August 2026
Gad's Hill School is a private secondary-stage school in Rochester, Kent, with a published age range of 3-16.
Private school Co-ed Ages 3-16 No sixth form listed No boarders
- Application ?
- Apply direct to school
- Age range
- 3-16
- ISI ?
- Standards met
- Boarding ?
- No boarders
Gad's Hill School
1
On this page
At a glance
Key facts
- Sector
- Private school
- Gender
- Mixed
- Application ?
- Apply direct to school
- Age range
- 3-16
- Boarding ?
- No boarders
- Route check
- Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.
- ISI ?
- Standards met
Overview
Overview
Charles Dickens's former home provides the historical setting for Gad's Hill, but the school's identity has changed considerably since it became a girls' school in 1924 and fully co-educational in 2001. A modern Lower School opened in 2013, so historic rooms and newer facilities now sit alongside each other in a day-school route from age 3 to 16.
The school is organised into Lower and Upper Schools, with small classes and teachers who know pupils closely. In the Upper School, GCSE choices are made at the end of Year 8 and annual progress assessments help track the move towards examination study. The academic route is supported by a programme of personal development and practical responsibility.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, First Aid, LAMDA, BTECs in teamwork and personal development, Forest School, the Combined Cadet Force, drama, music and sport give pupils varied ways to participate. The Lower School's music, sports, theatre and dining facilities add a newer layer to the Dickens setting and help the different ages share one community.
Most pupils begin in the nursery, while external applications are welcomed for Reception and Upper Shell, the Year 7 entry point. Existing pupils receive priority where places are limited, and Year 7 applicants can sit the Charles Dickens Scholarship examination. Gad's Hill has no boarding, and the October 2024 inspection judged the relevant standards met.
Key points
Key points
- Assessment route
- Applications are made directly to the school. Check the school's own admissions pages for registration dates, entrance assessment stages, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.
- Places and demand
- Published Year 7 place numbers and applicant-per-place data are not included in GIAS for this private-school seed profile.
- Catchment
- Private-school eligibility is not controlled by the local-authority grammar catchment model; check boarding, day-pupil, transport and any sibling or faith rules on the school site.
- Results
- 91.4% grade 5+ in English and maths and 57.3 Attainment 8
GCSE benchmark
Latest 2024/25 KS4 measures compared with Kent and England.
School Local authority England
- Attainment 8
- 57.3
- Grade 5+ English and maths
- 91.4%
- EBacc APS
- 4.60
- EBacc entry
- 8.6%
Attainment 8 trend
Recent published Attainment 8 scores compared with Kent and England.
School Local authority England
School details
School details
- Sector
- Private school
- School type
- Other independent school
- Funding
- Independent fee-paying
- Application
- Apply direct to school
- Gender
- Mixed
- Age range
- 3-16
- Headteacher
- Mr Paul Savage
- Pupil roll
- 326 pupils
- Sixth form
- No
Location and contact
Location and contact
Address
- Address
- Higham, Rochester, Kent
- Postcode
- ME3 7PA
- Area
- Kent
School leadership
- Headteacher
- Mr Paul Savage
School contact
- School phone
- 01474822366
Admissions contact
- Admissions team
- Admissions
- Admissions phone
- 01474822366
Admissions
Admissions
- Application route
- Apply direct to school
- Age range
- 3-16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Boarding
- No boarders
- Day fees
- £7,437 to £8,048 per term for Upper School pupils in 2026/27, including VAT
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Entrance details
- Entrance assessment details are not part of the GIAS open data extract.
- Admissions note
- GIAS confirms the school type and age range; fees, scholarships, bursaries and entrance assessments should be checked on the school's own website.
GIAS confirms the school type and age range; fees, scholarships, bursaries and entrance assessments should be checked on the school's own website.
Independent schools do not use the local-authority grammar-school catchment model; check the school site for boarding, transport and eligibility rules.
Oversubscription and eligibility
Use the official admissions policy for the current priority order and eligibility rules.
Exam and test format
Exam and test format
Entrance route and assessment
Entrance assessment details are not part of the GIAS open data extract.
- Assessment route
- Apply direct to school
Application
Application
How to apply
- 1
Apply direct to the school
Independent-school admissions are handled by the school rather than the local authority CAF.
Check school admissions
Results
Results
Attainment snapshot
- Attainment 8 ?
- 57.3 Attainment 8
- GCSE results
- 94.3% grade 4+ in English and maths
- Grade 5+ English and maths ?
- 91.4% grade 5+ in English and maths
- EBacc average point score ?
- 4.60 EBacc APS
Inspection
Inspection
Standards met
Latest inspection: 8 October 2024
- Leadership, management and governance
- Standards met
- Quality of education, training and recreation
- Standards met
- Physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Standards met
- Social and economic education and contribution to society
- Standards met
- Safeguarding
- Standards met
Quick summary
- Latest ISI report: Routine Inspections 2024 records an inspection beginning 8 October 2024. The report says the relevant standards were met.
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Shortlist comparisons
Related pages and guides
Related pages and guides
Area and ranking pages
Guides and related reading
Related guides are still being added.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How does Gad's Hill School handle admissions?
Gad's Hill School handles applications directly. Check the school website for registration dates, entrance assessments, interviews, fees, scholarships and bursaries.
How do I apply to Gad's Hill School?
1. Apply direct to the school: Independent-school admissions are handled by the school rather than the local authority CAF.
When are the key dates for Gad's Hill School?
Use the school admissions page to confirm registration, assessment, interview and offer dates.
What does the latest inspection picture look like for Gad's Hill School?
Gad's Hill School is currently rated Standards met following the latest published inspection dated 8 October 2024.