St Barnabas CofE VA Primary School
Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2EY · Kent · primary school
Check the area around this school
210th 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 — 6.7/10 against 2,240 of them, against 5.5/10 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 | 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.
St Barnabas CofE VA 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%. The higher standard was reached by 7.0% of pupils, matching the national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in February 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in a School Council and craft activities. The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 201 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 are below the expected standard in maths? What specific activities take place during the craft sessions? How does the School Council involve pupils in decision-making?
What Ofsted said about St Barnabas CofE VA Primary School
Overview
St Barnabas CofE VA Primary School continues to be a good school, offering a "welcoming, safe and inclusive" environment where pupils feel a strong sense of belonging. The school delivers an "ambitious curriculum" with high expectations, ensuring that pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, achieve well and are well prepared for secondary school.
Strengths
- Pupils are proud of their school and value the "caring teachers" who make learning "interesting and enjoyable".
- The curriculum is "well sequenced across nearly all subjects", helping pupils build on prior knowledge and develop sophisticated understanding.
- Teachers explain ideas clearly and check understanding regularly, encouraging the use of correct subject terminology.
- Reading is prioritised, with most pupils becoming "confident and keen readers" through a clear phonics approach.
- Relationships between adults and pupils are "warm and respectful", with consistently high behavioural expectations.
Areas to improve
- Support for the weakest readers is not as effective as it could be because adults do not focus on specific gaps in pupils’ knowledge; the school should ensure phonics support is "precisely targeted".
- A minority of pupils do not attend school regularly enough, causing them to miss valuable learning; the school should continue seeking effective strategies to improve attendance.
- In a couple of subjects, the curriculum lacks the same "high degree of precision and expectation" found elsewhere, though leaders have plans to address this.
Safeguarding
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 | 63% |
| 2023/24 | 55% |
| 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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