SchoolScoresBalfour Junior School
Academy · Primary, ages 7 to 11 · Mixed
Part of BEYOND SCHOOLS TRUST
Balfour Road, Chatham, ME4 6QX
01634 843833 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 14 October 2015. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 23 May 2024: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
65 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Chatham comparisons use the 12 of its 22 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 10 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Chatham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 7th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chatham. Higher than 41% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 93% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 8th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chatham. Higher than 39% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 93% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 3rd highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chatham. Higher than 68% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 89% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 20 parents whose child had been bullied 5th highest of 9 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chatham. Higher than 49% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 55% | 49% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 46 parents who had raised a concern 4th highest of 11 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chatham. Higher than 61% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87% | 78% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 6th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Chatham. Higher than 52% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92%said yes | 89% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Chatham figures pool parents at the Chatham schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
119 pupils in this year group.
71% — 10 points above the Medway average, and 9 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 71% | 61% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 14% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 79% | 73% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 79% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 84% | 71% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 108 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Medway. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Medway | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 10th highest of 22 state primary schools in Chatham. Higher than 69% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 31.7% | 28.5%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 20th highest of 22 state primary schools in Chatham. Higher than 3% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 0.2% | 2.1%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 14th highest of 22 state primary schools in Chatham. Higher than 59% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 15.6% | 16.6%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 6th highest of 22 state primary schools in Chatham. Higher than 82% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 36.3% | 18.9%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 13th lowest of 22 state primary schools in Chatham. Lower than 35% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.5% | 5.6%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 12th lowest of 22 state primary schools in Chatham. Lower than 33% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 14.8% | 15.0%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 14th lowest of 22 state primary schools in Chatham. Lower than 50% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.0 | 2.7 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 12th lowest of 22 state primary schools in Chatham. Lower than 51% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.6% | 1.1% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 22 state primary schools in Chatham. Higher than 90% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 24.8 | 21.5 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 2nd highest of 22 state primary schools in Chatham. Higher than 89% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 13.6 | 11.1 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 19th highest of 21 state primary schools in Chatham. Higher than 0% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 16.3%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Balfour Infant School 0.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024)
- St John's CofE Infant School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Crest Infant School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), confirmed 2025
- St Michael Catholic Primary and Nursery School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016, before conversion), confirmed 2019 · 78% met expected standard (KS2)
- Delce Academy 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Peter's Infant School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024
- Phoenix Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 38% met expected standard (KS2)
- Greenvale Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- New Horizons Children's Academy 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2022 · 35% met expected standard (KS2)
- St William of Perth Roman Catholic Primary School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 55% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Balfour Junior School's Ofsted rating?
Balfour Junior School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 14 October 2015. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 23 May 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Balfour Junior School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 71% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 9 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Balfour Junior School?
92% of the 65 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Balfour Junior School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 143880.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.