PGW Partnership of Greenacre and Walderslade Review 2026: A Medway post 16 route with a clear careers focus

For students in Medway who want to stay in a school based setting after GCSEs, PGW Partnership of Greenacre and Walderslade sits within the Walderslade and Greenacre Schools Partnership (WGSP) and offers a mix of A level and applied general pathways for ages 16 to 19. The sixth form positions itself around aspiration, resilience and respect, with a dedicated Study Centre and a stated emphasis on work experience, UCAS support and apprenticeship guidance.

On outcomes, the published A level grade profile is below England averages, and the sixth form’s FindMySchool A level ranking sits in the lower performance band nationally. This makes course choice, prior attainment and support expectations especially important for families to explore in detail. (Rankings and exam metrics below reflect the provided dataset and should be read alongside subject level context on official performance tables.)

The sixth form’s messaging leans strongly towards structure and guidance rather than a large college style of independence. It highlights smaller class sizes, close staff student relationships, and a “continuity” feel for those already within the partnership, while still welcoming external applicants.

Leadership is clearly signposted. The WGSP website names Mrs Louise Campbell as Headteacher, and leadership materials describe her appointment as Headteacher of Walderslade in 2022, now leading the wider partnership. Within the sixth form itself, Mr M Roberts is listed as Head of WGSP Sixth Form, supported by Mrs E Deegan as Assistant Headteacher (Key Stage 5).

The most distinctive “feel” comes through in the operational details: a dedicated Study Centre, explicit expectations around independent study, and a careers narrative that runs alongside academic provision rather than being treated as an add on.

PGW Partnership of Greenacre and Walderslade is a post 16 provider, so the most relevant performance indicators here are the 16 to 18 measures and A level outcomes.

On the provided A level measures, the grade distribution is modest: 0% A*, 3.7% A, and 12.96% at A* to B combined. England averages are higher at 23.6% A* to A and 47.2% A* to B.

The FindMySchool A level ranking places the sixth form at 2512th in England (out of 2649), which corresponds to below England average performance (bottom 40%). This is a proprietary FindMySchool ranking based on official data.

What this means in practice is that families should pay close attention to fit. A sixth form can be the right choice even when headline averages are lower, particularly if a student benefits from a familiar environment, close monitoring, strong attendance culture, and a vocational or mixed programme. The key is to look for subject level strengths, realistic entry requirements, and how the provider supports students whose GCSE profile suggests they will need structured academic scaffolding.

The sixth form sets out a broad intent, combining academic and applied study with an emphasis on independence, research and communication skills. It also flags GCSE English and maths resits as a built in expectation for students without grade 4 in those subjects.

A useful practical detail is how the partnership frames Key Stage 5 independent study: students are expected to complete substantial homework and independent study time per subject across a fortnight, alongside guided support. For families, the implication is clear. This is not a “turn up to lessons only” model. Students who engage with supervised study, workshop style support, and structured routines are more likely to benefit from the setting.

Where Students Go Next

The sixth form’s public messaging focuses on destinations in broad terms, highlighting university routes, apprenticeships and professional placements, plus UCAS and apprenticeship workshops and application support.

Specific destination numbers are not published in the provided dataset for this provider, and the school website section available in research does not provide quantified Russell Group or Oxbridge figures. As a result, families should treat destination conversations as a key sixth form visit question, ideally asking for recent examples by pathway, including how many students progressed to higher education, apprenticeships and employment, and which local employers and sectors are used for placements.

For a post 16 provider, admissions are typically about meeting entry requirements, choosing an appropriate programme, and completing the application route on time.

WGSP states a general entry requirement of 5 GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (or equivalent vocational qualifications), including English and or maths, with some subjects carrying higher or additional grade thresholds. It also notes that students without grade 4 in English or maths will be required to resit as part of their timetable.

For September 2026 entry, the sixth form states that applications opened on Thursday 27 November 2025 at 5pm. External applicants are directed through the county wide post 16 application route, while internal applicants use the partnership’s internal application system. If you are applying in the current cycle, confirm the closing date and any interview or guidance meeting expectations via the sixth form admissions page.

Parents comparing routes across Medway can use FindMySchool’s Saved Schools feature to keep a shortlist, then add the Local Hub comparison tool to review performance context side by side across nearby post 16 options.

At sixth form level, wellbeing often shows up through attendance, mentoring, and day to day support rather than formal “pastoral systems” marketed to younger year groups. WGSP describes a close knit sixth form community with tailored support and mentorship from specialist staff, alongside a Personal Development curriculum and careers guidance that includes structured input from an external careers service.

Financial support is also explicitly addressed. WGSP publishes a 16 to 19 bursary statement for 2025 to 26, including both the vulnerable bursary route and a discretionary bursary, with stated maximum awards of £1200 per annum (vulnerable bursary) and £750 per annum (discretionary bursary). For families, this can materially affect feasibility, particularly where transport costs, equipment, and course related trips are barriers.

Sixth forms vary widely in how they handle enrichment, and WGSP provides a more concrete picture than many providers by publishing an extracurricular and enrichment timetable across the wider partnership.

Examples that stand out as good sixth form compatible options include Dungeons and Dragons, BandLab, Pop Orchestra, Photography, STEM, Volunteering, and Practice Room Hire, alongside sport and performance options such as Dance Company and Band Night.

The practical implication is that students who stay after lessons can still build a broader portfolio, which matters for both university applications and apprenticeships. For students applying to competitive degree routes, enrichment is often where references, personal statements and interview examples come from. A timetable that includes structured music practice, creative production tools, and volunteering makes it easier for students to sustain involvement over time rather than relying on ad hoc commitments.

Term dates for Medway maintained schools are published by the local authority, but academies can set their own dates, so families should always confirm the sixth form’s calendar directly.

For day structure, the extracurricular timetable suggests many after school activities run from 3:00pm to 4:00pm, with some sessions extending later, which is helpful for planning transport. Post 16 providers do not usually offer wraparound care in the primary sense; students typically manage independent travel and study periods, so it is sensible to confirm supervised study space availability outside taught hours, particularly in the Study Centre.

• Academic outcomes vs ambitions. The A level grade profile is below England averages, and the A level ranking sits in the lower performance band nationally. This can still work well for the right student, but it raises the importance of subject fit, study habits, and support structures.

• Deadlines are not fully transparent in one place. The sixth form publishes an application opening point for September 2026 entry, but families should verify closing dates, interviews and next steps directly.

• Expect a structured resit model where needed. Students without GCSE grade 4 in English or maths should anticipate resits being built into their timetable, which can affect course load and weekly study time.

• Budget planning matters. The published 16 to 19 bursary framework is a positive, but it also signals that transport, equipment and course costs can be real factors, so families should discuss likely extras early.

PGW Partnership of Greenacre and Walderslade suits students who want a school based post 16 setting with clear routines, staffed study space, and a strong narrative around careers guidance, placements and progression support. It is particularly well matched to students who benefit from close day to day structure and who will engage with supervised study and enrichment.

The main caveat is outcomes. The published A level profile and ranking indicate that academic performance is below England averages, so families should be thorough about programme choice, subject level strength, and what progress support looks like for students aiming for higher grades.