Petham Primary School
Canterbury, CT4 5RD · Kent · primary school
Check the area around this school
144th 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.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 7.5/10 against 3,314 of them, against 6.9/10 nationally. 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 | 67.0 · 57 | 40% | 2.28 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 17.0 · 87 | 25% | 2.18 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Petham Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 67.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the school recorded 17.0% against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.9 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in May 2025.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Lego, Wellbeing, Choir, Art, French, Coding, and Gardening Clubs, as well as Basketball, Infant Agility, and Cricket. The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 99 pupils against a stated capacity of 115. 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 are not yet meeting the expected standard in maths? What specific activities are included in the Wellbeing Club? How does the school manage transition for children moving from infant to junior school?
What Ofsted said about Petham Primary School
Overview
Petham Primary School has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” Pupils “thrive in this warm and welcoming village school,” where they are “excited about learning” and “extremely well behaved.” The school continues to provide a high-quality education with strong personal development and effective leadership.
Strengths
- The curriculum is “carefully structured” to ensure pupils acquire necessary knowledge, with particular success in English and mathematics.
- The phonics programme is “well-established,” enabling pupils to become “confident and fluent readers” through consistent teaching and timely support.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are “valued members of the school community” who receive “carefully considered support” tailored to their individual needs.
- Staff morale is high, and many parents describe the school’s “happy, caring atmosphere” and “helpful, approachable staff.”
- The personal, social and health education curriculum makes a “strong contribution to pupils’ personal development,” fostering kindness and resilience.
Areas to improve
- In a few foundation subjects, work to refine subject-specific vocabulary has not been completed, meaning pupils do not develop knowledge of key concepts “as fully as they could.” The school should ensure these elements are “developed and delivered consistently across the remaining subject areas.”
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 | 75% |
| 2023/24 | 50% |
| 2024/25 | 67% |
| 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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