Palace Wood Primary School
Maidstone, ME16 0AB · Kent · primary school
Check the area around this school
180th 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 — 6.0/10 against 4,103 of them, against 6.0/10 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 | 69.0 · 63 | 40% | 2.51 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 8.0 · 57 | 25% | 1.43 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Palace Wood Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 69.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared with the national median of 64%. 8.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in October 2022. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (6.0 out of 10 either way).
Getting in
The published school roll is 417 pupils against a stated capacity of 420. 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
Since the last inspection was in 2022, what specific improvements have been made to the curriculum since then? How does the school support pupils who are not yet meeting the expected standard in maths?
What Ofsted said about Palace Wood Primary School
Overview
Palace Wood Primary School continues to be a good school, where pupils enjoy a joyful and ambitious educational experience. The report highlights strong relationships, effective safeguarding, and a curriculum that provides wide-ranging opportunities, though inconsistencies in checking long-term knowledge retention remain.
Strengths
- Pupils enjoy school, building strong relationships during joyful playtimes and collaborative activities.
- The curriculum is ambitious, with subject leaders carefully planning content and sequence to ensure pupils gain essential knowledge and skills.
- Teachers possess strong subject knowledge, delivering purposeful lessons where misconceptions are rare and pupils are encouraged to reflect on their understanding.
- Reading provision is effective, with most pupils becoming confident, fluent readers through early phonics instruction and targeted support for disadvantaged pupils.
- Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with well-established systems, timely staff training, and a pervasive culture of safety.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure retrieval strategies are used consistently across all subjects, particularly in music and science, so teachers can accurately assess what pupils remember over time.
- Some pupils do not reach ambitious curriculum end points in certain subjects due to inconsistent use of these memory-checking processes.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with clear protocols ensuring concerns are recorded and followed through, and pupils learning how to remain safe online.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 70% |
| 2023/24 | 56% |
| 2024/25 | 69% |
| 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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