Benenden Church of England Primary School
Cranbrook, TN17 4EH · Kent · primary school
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62nd of 425 primary schools in Kent we can score, 460 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 9.3/10 against 4,255 of them, against 9.1/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 82.0 · 90 | 41% | 3.69 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 34% | 1.76 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 21.0 · 93 | 26% | 2.37 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Benenden Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 82.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 21.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in May 2022. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (9.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 9.1 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils access a breakfast club and an after-school club. Sports include football, cricket, netball, hockey, rugby, gymnastics, lacrosse, and dance.
Getting in
The published school roll is 213 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school manage class sizes when the roll exceeds capacity? What specific support is available for pupils who do not reach the higher standard? How are the various sports clubs scheduled during the school day?
What Ofsted said about Benenden Church of England Primary School
Overview
Benenden Church of England Primary School continues to be a good school, where pupils are enthusiastic and feel well cared for by staff. Leaders have successfully overseen a move into a new building and developed an ambitious curriculum despite pandemic challenges. The school fosters independence, with pupils taking on responsibilities and benefiting from a wide range of after-school clubs.
Strengths
- Staff are caring and know pupils well, creating a respectful environment where bullying is rare and dealt with quickly.
- Leaders have established an "ambitious and well-designed curriculum," with strong teaching in mathematics and phonics.
- Pupils develop reading fluency early, with books closely matching the sounds they know, and receive tailored support if needed.
- There are many opportunities for pupils to assume responsibility, such as running lunchtime clubs or acting as ‘eco warriors’.
- Staff feel supported by leaders and value training opportunities, including collaboration with colleagues in the federation.
Areas to improve
- Assessment is not consistently effective across all subjects; in some areas, teachers do not fully understand how pupils’ learning is developing.
- Leaders should ensure that teachers use assessment well across the curriculum so pupils can build on prior knowledge and achieve as well as they could.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with well-trained staff who know how to spot signs of risk and record concerns in detail.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 77% |
| 2023/24 | 69% |
| 2024/25 | 82% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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