St John's Catholic Primary School, Gravesend
Gravesend, DA12 2SY · Kent · primary school
Check the area around this school
91st 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 — 8.8/10 against 3,670 of them, against 8.1/10 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 | 23.0 · 95 | 25% | 2.37 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St John's Catholic Primary School, Gravesend 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%. The higher standard was reached by 23.0%, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in November 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 8.1 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Centre Stage club, participate in swimming and the Rugby Festival, and attend trips including a Year 6 residential, Howlett's Zoo, the Pantomime, and an Owl Visit.
Getting in
The published school roll is 869 pupils against a stated capacity of 854. 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
With the last inspection in 2023, what specific improvements have been made to the curriculum since then? How does the Centre Stage club integrate with the wider arts curriculum?
What Ofsted said about St John's Catholic Primary School, Gravesend
Overview
St John’s Catholic Primary School continues to be a good school, offering a "caring and inclusive" environment where pupils feel safe and valued. The school provides an "ambitious curriculum" with high expectations for achievement, particularly in reading, writing, and mathematics, supported by effective staff workload management.
Strengths
- Pupils are "happy in this caring and inclusive school," demonstrating polite behaviour and a strong sense of belonging.
- The curriculum is "precisely identified" and ordered sensibly, allowing pupils to make links between previous and new learning.
- There is a "strong culture of reading," with high-quality texts and effective phonics teaching ensuring most pupils catch up if they fall behind.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive "careful support" and "highly bespoke interventions" to assist their individual learning.
- Staff workload is managed effectively, with "refinements of assessment policies" allowing teachers more time to focus on pupil learning.
Areas to improve
- In a small number of subjects, teachers lack the "secure subject and pedagogical knowledge" needed to teach the intended curriculum systematically.
- High expectations for pupils’ behaviour are "not always consistently reinforced," leading to some pupils not behaving as well as they could.
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 | 71% |
| 2023/24 | 73% |
| 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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