High Firs Primary School
Swanley, BR8 8NR · Kent · primary school
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240th 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 — 4.6/10 against 3,752 of them, against 4.8/10 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 | 63.0 · 46 | 40% | 1.85 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 7.0 · 51 | 25% | 1.27 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
High Firs Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 63.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 7.0% of pupils, matching the national median of 7%. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (4.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.8 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils access canoeing, dragon boating, abseiling, climbing, aeroball, cat walk, trapeze, and sailing, alongside trips to the Isle of Wight. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 210 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 support pupils who fall below the national median in core subjects? What specific training do staff receive for the outdoor activities listed? How does the school manage transitions for pupils moving between year groups?
What Ofsted said about High Firs Primary School
Overview
High Firs Primary School is judged as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories. Leaders have driven an ‘improvement journey’ that has transformed the curriculum, ensuring it is ‘ambitious for all pupils’ and builds learning in ‘small steps’. The school fosters a positive environment where pupils are ‘fully engaged in their learning’ and feel ‘happy and safe’.
Strengths
- The curriculum is ‘broad, balanced and stimulating’, with a strong focus on early reading where staff are ‘experts in early reading’.
- Pupils demonstrate ‘consistent respect and kindness’, resulting in ‘calm and orderly’ behaviour that supports focused learning.
- Staff provide ‘timely support’ for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), enabling them to ‘achieve well across the curriculum’.
- Personal development is ‘well considered’, with pupils benefiting from ‘forest school activities’, clubs, and leadership opportunities.
- Governors and leaders effectively support staff well-being, including changes to marking policies to reduce workload.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, staff do not consistently help pupils ‘connect new learning with what they have studied previously’, meaning some knowledge is not ‘securely committed to pupils’ long-term memory’.
- The school must ensure subject leaders maintain ‘close oversight’ of how well pupils are learning and that staff carefully check understanding of previous learning.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 54% |
| 2023/24 | 73% |
| 2024/25 | 63% |
| 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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