The Rowans is an alternative provision academy in Chatham, Medway, for children and young people aged 5 to 16. It supports SEMH.
- Ages 5–16
- 54 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2025)
School details
- Type
- Alternative provision academy
- Ages
- 5 to 16
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 54 (places for 95)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Fiona May (Headteacher)
- Part of
- The Howard Academy Trust
- Opened
- 1 June 2017
- Free school meals
- 77.8% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Medway
- School reference (URN)
- 144134
Needs it supports
1 need: SEMH
As listed by the Department for Education, grouped the way EHC plans describe needs.
Social, emotional and mental health
- Social, emotional and mental health Other schools for this in Medway (7)
How to get a place
3 steps
- Talk to your child’s school or the council
Places in alternative provision are usually arranged by your child’s current school or Medway council, rather than applied for directly.
- If your child has an EHC plan
The placement should be agreed through the plan, with you involved in the decision.
- Get free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can explain your options and come to meetings with you.
Questions to ask when you visit
8 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them on the day.
Ofsted
Report card, December 2025: Strong standard in every area
Inspected in December 2025 under Ofsted’s new report cards, which grade each area separately, from Exceptional to Urgent improvement, instead of one overall grade.
- InclusionStrong standard
- Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
- AchievementStrong standard
- Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
- Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
- Leadership and governanceStrong standard
- SafeguardingMet
Contact and getting there
Silverbank, Churchill Avenue, Chatham, ME5 0LB
Loading the map…
Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, how to get a place and the questions to ask, in your inbox.
Other SEND schools nearby
- Bradfields Academy Special school · Ages 4–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.0 miles
- INSPIRE Free Special School Special school · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 0.0 miles
- The Victory Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 1.0 mile
By need in Medway: SEMH (8) · Autism (7) · Speech and language (4) · Moderate learning (2) · Severe learning (2) · PMLD (2) · Hearing (2) · Vision (2) · Physical (2)
Questions about The Rowans
How do I get a place at The Rowans?
Places at The Rowans are usually arranged by your child’s current school or Medway council rather than applied for directly. If your child has an EHC plan, the placement should be agreed through it.
What needs does The Rowans support?
Social, emotional and mental health. Every child is different, so ask the school how it would meet your child’s needs.
What ages does The Rowans take?
Aged 5 to 16, boys and girls.
What is The Rowans’s Ofsted rating?
Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in December 2025 at its last graded inspection. Newer inspections no longer give a single overall grade, so read the latest report for the full picture.
Where is The Rowans?
Silverbank, Churchill Avenue, Chatham, ME5 0LB, in Medway.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.