SchoolScoresHolywell Primary School
Academy · Primary, ages 5 to 11 · Mixed
Part of EKC SCHOOLS TRUST LIMITED
Forge Lane, Upchurch, Sittingbourne, ME9 7AE
01634 388416 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 24 April 2013. 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 |
| Leadership and management | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 4 July 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
84 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Sittingbourne comparisons use the 16 of its 26 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 | Sittingbourne | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 4th highest of 16 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sittingbourne. Higher than 54% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96% | 91% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 6th highest of 16 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sittingbourne. Higher than 68% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 98% | 93% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 5th highest of 16 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sittingbourne. Higher than 44% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 85% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 24 parents whose child had been bullied 3rd highest of 11 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sittingbourne. Higher than 78% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 67% | 55% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 61 parents who had raised a concern 4th highest of 16 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sittingbourne. Higher than 61% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 87% | 80% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 2nd highest of 16 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Sittingbourne. Higher than 57% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93%said yes | 86% | 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. Sittingbourne figures pool parents at the Sittingbourne 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
31 pupils in this year group.
84% — 22 points above the Kent average, and 22 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 84% | 62% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 19% | 10% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 94% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 84% | 74% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 94% | 71% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 110 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 110 | 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 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 30 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 40 |
| Of those, offered a place | 30 (75%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 77 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.2 · 2026: 1.3
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 22nd highest of 26 state primary schools in Sittingbourne. Higher than 31% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 14.6% | 27.2%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 26th highest of 26 state primary schools in Sittingbourne. Higher than 5% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 0.5% | 3.0%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 22nd highest of 26 state primary schools in Sittingbourne. Higher than 21% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 10.2% | 13.8%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 16th highest of 26 state primary schools in Sittingbourne. Higher than 45% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 7.8% | 15.8%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 26 state primary schools in Sittingbourne. Lower than 93% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.4% | 5.5%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 4th lowest of 26 state primary schools in Sittingbourne. Lower than 84% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 6.1% | 14.4%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 8th lowest of 26 state primary schools in Sittingbourne. Lower than 61% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.5 | 3.0 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 10th lowest of 26 state primary schools in Sittingbourne. Lower than 57% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.5% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 7th highest of 26 state primary schools in Sittingbourne. Higher than 68% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 22.1 | 20.5 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 26 state primary schools in Sittingbourne. Higher than 71% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 12.0 | 10.3 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 20th highest of 24 state primary schools in Sittingbourne. Higher than 0% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 14.4%* | 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
- Lower Halstow Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 33% met expected standard (KS2)
- Riverside Primary School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025 · 56% met expected standard (KS2)
- Newington CofE Primary School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 73% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hartlip Endowed CofE Primary School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 53% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Margaret's CofE Junior School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Margaret's Infant School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2011, before conversion), improved significantly 2025
- Thames View Primary School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 80% met expected standard (KS2)
- Miers Court Primary School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015, before conversion), confirmed 2021 · 56% met expected standard (KS2)
- Twydall Primary School and Nursery 2.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 52% met expected standard (KS2)
- Parkwood Primary School 2.9 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023, before conversion) · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Holywell Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Holywell Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 24 April 2013. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 4 July 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Holywell Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 84% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 22 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Holywell Primary School?
93% of the 84 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Holywell Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Holywell Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 40 families put Holywell Primary School as their first choice for 30 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 30 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 147752.
- 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.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.