Wates has started construction work to build a new school which will unite pupils at St John Fisher Catholic Comprehensive School.

Earlier this year, Medway Council granted planning permission for the school on City Way. A ceremony marked the formal breaking ground on the build, which is being led by Wates Group and backed by the Department for Education, and made possible with the donation of the land from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark.

Situated at the top of the hill between Chatham and Rochester, with inspiring views looking out across the River Medway, the new build will offer a wide range of teaching spaces, including Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGA) pitches, state-of the-art IT systems, a football pitch, a library, a dance studio, gym and kiln room.


These facilities will be shared with the wider community outside of school hours.

Wates Representative Richard Shroll, Regional Managing Director Wates Construction South, said: "We're pleased to be awarded the important task of building St. John Fisher Catholic Comprehensive School where we are delighted to have started on site an appointment that reflects our credibility and experience in the education sector.

"At Wates, we understand how learning environments have a direct impact upon the development of young people and attainment levels and we bring our appreciation to every stage of the process.

"Everything we do is guided by our purpose of working together to inspire better ways of creating the places, communities and businesses of tomorrow."