Sholden Church of England Primary School
Deal, CT14 0AB · Kent · primary school
Check the area around this school
104th 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 — 8.7/10 against 3,364 of them, against 7.9/10 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 | 73.0 · 73 | 40% | 2.93 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 18.0 · 89 | 25% | 2.23 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Sholden Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 73.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the figure was 18.0% against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.9 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join football, a breakfast club, and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 91 pupils against a stated capacity of 105. 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 take place during the after-school club? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the 2023 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Sholden Church of England Primary School
Overview
Pupils are “incredibly positive” about their experiences, feeling safe and proud to embody the school’s Christian values. Leaders have designed a curriculum that builds “strong foundations for learning,” resulting in pupils who are “settled and focused” and generally achieve well.
Strengths
- Staff know pupils well, fostering “strong, nurturing relationships” and ensuring children feel safe online and in the wider world.
- The curriculum in early reading and mathematics identifies “small steps of knowledge,” leading to “precise teaching” and effective assessment.
- Leaders promote a “love of reading” through well-used libraries and diverse texts that expose pupils to a “wide cultural experience.”
- Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is secure, with “additional support” put in place from the early years.
- Leaders work collaboratively with the trust and governors, carefully identifying actions to develop the school and evaluating their impact.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure a “systematic approach to assessment” in foundation subjects, as there is not yet the same precision as in reading and mathematics.
- Staff need to know how to assess what pupils “can remember long term” across all subjects to better inform next steps in learning.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with an “effective culture of safeguarding” where staff receive regular training and concerns are acted on quickly.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 85% |
| 2023/24 | 75% |
| 2024/25 | 73% |
| 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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