SchoolScoresFordcombe CofE Primary School
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England
Part of THE TENAX SCHOOLS TRUST
The Green, Fordcombe, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 0RY
01892 740224 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 10 February 2016. 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 |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 18 October 2022: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
13 pupils in this year group.
62% — about the same as the Kent average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 62% | 62% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 23% | 10% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 77% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 85% | 74% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 69% | 71% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 107 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 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 Kent. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 4 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 4 |
| Of those, offered a place | 4 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 27 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 1.0
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 6th highest of 23 state primary schools in Tunbridge Wells. Higher than 72% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 33.9% | 27.2%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 23 state primary schools in Tunbridge Wells. Higher than 55% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.2% | 3.0%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 9th highest of 23 state primary schools in Tunbridge Wells. Higher than 52% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 14.5% | 13.8%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 15th highest of 23 state primary schools in Tunbridge Wells. Higher than 60% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 14.5% | 15.8%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 21st lowest of 23 state primary schools in Tunbridge Wells. Lower than 3% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 8.2% | 5.5%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 20th lowest of 23 state primary schools in Tunbridge Wells. Lower than 11% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 21.4% | 14.4%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 1st lowest of 23 state primary schools in Tunbridge Wells. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0 | 3.0 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once Joint 1st lowest of 23 state primary schools in Tunbridge Wells. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 21st highest of 23 state primary schools in Tunbridge Wells. Higher than 9% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 15.4 | 20.5 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 21st highest of 23 state primary schools in Tunbridge Wells. Higher than 27% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 9.4 | 10.3 | 10.6 |
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.
Nearby primary schools
- Langton Green Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 88% met expected standard (KS2)
- Speldhurst CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 81% met expected standard (KS2)
- Rusthall St Paul's CofE Primary School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023, before conversion) · 65% met expected standard (KS2)
- Penshurst CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2022 · 50% met expected standard (KS2)
- Groombridge St Thomas' CofE Primary School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 74% met expected standard (KS2)
- Bishops Down Primary and Nursery School 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 5 expected · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Fordcombe CofE Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Fordcombe CofE Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 10 February 2016. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 18 October 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Fordcombe CofE Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 62% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, about the same as the England average of 62%.
Is Fordcombe CofE Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 4 families put Fordcombe CofE Primary School as their first choice for 4 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 4 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 146400.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.