Medway Mayor opens new sixth form and specialist provision
It'll focus on students’ social, emotional, and mental health needs
Last updated 29th Jul 2025
A new sixth form and emotional health support facility have been opened at a school.
The Victory Academy in Chatham recently opened its new sixth form and specialist resource provision (SRP) facilities, which focus on students’ social, emotional, and mental health needs on its site in Magpie Hall Road.
Medway’s Mayor, Cllr Trevor Clarke (Con), along with the authority’s leader Cllr Vince Maple (Lab) and portfolio holder for education Cllr Tracy Coombs (Lab), cut the ribbon to the new offering on July 15.
The new sixth form also provides extra space for key stage five pupils for independent study and socialising, and frees up more classroom space for younger students.
The SRP, which will be known as The Harbour, aims to provide additional support with social, emotional, and mental health needs in order to allow pupils to perform better at school, overcome obstacles, and reach their full potential.
It is a designated space focused exclusively on ensuring children’s needs, whatever they may be, are met.
The facility has capacity for five children per year, 25 pupils in total, and the school has already allocated its first cohort of year 7 students.
Each year, another five pupils will take advantage of the offering.
Victory Academy is part of Thinking Schools Academy Trust and members of the trust were also in attendance at the ceremony, along with staff and community partners.
Oliver Owen, headteacher of The Victory Academy, praised the new extensions, saying: “The opening of our new facilities marks a significant milestone in the evolution of The Victory Academy. These spaces reflect our commitment to inclusive education and our belief in nurturing every pupil’s potential.
“The SRP will enable us to support pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs in a truly integrated and meaningful way, while the sixth form expansion provides our older pupils with an environment that encourages independence and academic excellence.
“This is a proud moment for our entire school community.”
Laura Simperl, Assistant Headteacher for alternative provision and personal development, added: “The Victory Harbour is a safe and supportive space where pupils with SEMH needs can truly thrive.
“We’re proud to offer a nurturing environment that helps every child feel valued and empowered to succeed.”
Mayor Clarke also welcomed the new facilities for the school, saying it demonstrated the commitment to supporting all children in the five Towns.
He said: “I’m incredibly impressed by the new facilities at The Victory Academy.
“They reflect a deep commitment to inclusive education, and I’m proud to endorse such a forward-thinking and supportive environment for Medway’s young people.”
The new sixth form and SRP facilities were opened on July 15 after the plans were first submitted for the new buildings back in 2023.