Wateringbury Church of England Primary School
Maidstone, ME18 5EA · Kent · primary school
Check the area around this school
170th 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 — 6.9/10 against 2,515 of them, against 5.9/10 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 | 66.0 · 54 | 62% | 3.32 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 10.0 · 66 | 38% | 2.54 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Wateringbury Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 66.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 10.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.9 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join gymnastics and cookery clubs.
Getting in
The published school roll is 134 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 working towards the expected standard in maths? What are the specific entry criteria for the current academic year? How are the gymnastics and cookery clubs scheduled within the weekly timetable?
What Ofsted said about Wateringbury Church of England Primary School
Overview
Wateringbury Church of England Primary School is described as a “warm and caring” environment where pupils “embody key qualities such as acceptance exceptionally well.” The report highlights “rapid improvement” since the previous inspection, noting that staff have high expectations and that pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, “achieve well.” The school fosters a “sense of calm and purpose,” with pupils behaving well and showing “high levels of courtesy.”
Strengths
- Personal development is “exceptional,” with the curriculum expanding beyond the classroom through activities like an annual arts festival and an “excellent array of clubs.”
- Reading is a priority; “high-quality teaching of phonics” helps pupils become “confident and fluent readers quickly,” with books carefully matched to their knowledge.
- Staff build “positive relationships” with pupils, ensuring they feel “happy and safe” and know teachers will address concerns.
- The curriculum is “ambitious” and clearly defined, allowing pupils to build on prior learning and develop “increasingly sophisticated use of grammar and language.”
- Governors “contribute strongly” to the school’s life, offering “high levels of challenge and support” based on their detailed knowledge of the school.
Areas to improve
- The curriculum for a small group of pupils with historic gaps in knowledge is “not effective enough,” meaning these pupils “do not catch up quickly enough.”
- Checks on pupils’ spelling and transcription are “not precise enough,” resulting in variable use of “crucial technical language” and inaccurate spelling of subject-specific vocabulary.
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 | 39% |
| 2023/24 | 61% |
| 2024/25 | 66% |
| 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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