A secondary school has been rated “good” in all areas in its first Ofsted inspection since moving into its new home less than a year ago.

Maritime Academy, located in Chalk Lane, Frindsbury, near Strood, first opened in 2022 and moved into its permanent premises in September last year.

It has now been rated “good” across all areas in its first full Ofsted inspection, carried out in May.

Inspectors highlighted strong leadership, a well-structured curriculum, and high expectations.

Pupils were described as respectful and motivated, with classrooms offering a focused space for learning.

Staff were found to have strong subject knowledge and used clear strategies to help pupils recall information.

Reading was noted as a strength, with additional support provided where needed.

The report adds: “The school ensures that pupils receive exposure to different texts and develop a love of reading.”

The school’s personal development programme stood out for giving pupils wider opportunities, including leadership roles, debating, and extracurricular activities ranging from boxing to embroidery.

The academy is themed around Medway’s maritime heritage.

Pupils are placed into school houses known as ‘fleets’, each named after a ship built in Frindsbury.

Communal areas use naval terms, and student leaders take on maritime-inspired titles, and are proud to hold roles such as ‘Fleet Admiral’, ‘Warrant Officer’, or serve in the pupil parliament.

The education watchdog’s inspection team praised the academy for fostering mutual respect between staff and pupils.

They noted: “Classrooms are calm and purposeful places conducive to successful learning.”

Principal Matt Evans welcomed the outcome. He said: “This result is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, pupils, and families.

“To achieve a 'Good' rating across the board in our first inspection is a fantastic endorsement of the vision and values we’ve worked hard to embed since opening.”

He added: “At Maritime Academy, we believe that we can truly transform lives by making excellence a habit.”

Inspectors did however identify two key areas for improvement.

Firstly, while efforts to improve attendance were acknowledged, too many pupils, particularly those with special educational needs or from disadvantaged backgrounds, continue to miss school.

Secondly, some teachers were found to move on in lessons too quickly without fully checking pupils had grasped the material.

Both issues, inspectors said, must be addressed to ensure all pupils make consistently strong progress.

Despite these, the report concluded the school is preparing pupils well for their next steps, with safeguarding found to be effective.

Michelle Smith, regional director for the South East at Thinking Schools Academy Trust, which runs the school, said: “This is a remarkable accomplishment that reflects the ongoing commitment of the leadership team, staff, and pupils to making excellence a habit.”

Maritime Academy serves nearly 600 pupils across years seven to nine.

It will grow to full capacity by 2028, eventually offering education from year seven right the way through to year 13.