St Stephen's Junior School
Canterbury, CT2 7AD · Kent · primary school
Check the area around this school
321st 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 — 2.9/10 against 2,080 of them, against 2.7/10 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 | 44.0 · 12 | 40% | 0.47 |
| 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 Stephen's Junior School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 44.0% 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%. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (2.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.7 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in April 2023.
Beyond the classroom
The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club for wraparound care.
Getting in
The published school roll is 400 pupils against a stated capacity of 360. 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
What specific support is available for pupils who have not reached the expected standard in maths? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating while addressing the gap in attainment?
What Ofsted said about St Stephen's Junior School
Overview
St Stephen’s Junior School continues to be a good school, characterised by strong relationships and a positive culture where pupils feel they belong. Leaders provide inspiring leadership, and staff are supportive, ensuring that pupils’ well-being is a priority for everyone.
Strengths
- Relationships between adults and pupils are a strength, with pupils describing the school as ‘A child-friendly school where everyone is welcome and where everyone belongs.’
- The curriculum is ambitious for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), and teachers have good subject knowledge supported by skilled leaders.
- Most pupils become confident and fluent readers, exposed to a ‘good range of good-quality texts’ that promote a love of reading.
- Staff identify individual needs accurately, ensuring disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND achieve well overall.
- Staff feel valued, with leaders mindful of workload and well-being, contributing to a positive staff culture.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must complete their review of all curriculum subjects to ensure precision in what pupils need to learn, as some are not building on key concepts as well as they might.
- The phonics programme for early-stage readers requires more urgency and pace to ensure pupils catch up quickly enough to become fluent.
- Leaders need to ensure staff consistently promote positive behaviour strategies to reassure pupils and parents concerned about the behaviour of a small minority.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff fully trained, thorough record-keeping, and rigorous processes for dealing with risks and medical needs.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 46% |
| 2023/24 | 56% |
| 2024/25 | 44% |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of CT2 7AD, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT