Aylesham Primary School

About Aylesham Primary School

Aylesham Primary School sits within Kent’s large primary landscape, where the average Key Stage 2 score for the local authority sits at 63. The school’s own data on this metric is not provided, so a direct comparison against that LA average isn’t possible from the available information. What is clear, however, is that the school has maintained a consistent Ofsted rating of Good across its two most recent inspections, with the most recent graded inspection in 2017 and an ungraded visit in 2023 confirming it remains Good. That places it in the majority of Kent primaries, as only 54 out of 459 schools in the authority are rated Outstanding. The nearest Outstanding alternative is Adisham Church of England Primary School, just 1.7 km away, which may be worth a look for families who prioritise that top grade. Aylesham’s own Good rating, held since at least 2013, suggests steady leadership and management under headteacher Darran Callaghan.

Academically, the picture is less detailed than some parents might hope for. The school’s Progress 8 score is not included in the data, nor are its specific Key Stage 2 results, so it’s impossible to say whether pupils here are making above or below average progress compared with peers across Kent. The Ofsted breakdown from the 2017 graded inspection rated both leadership and management and early years provision as Good, with the overall effectiveness also Good. The 2023 ungraded inspection noted that the school remains Good but with concerns, flagged as ‘S5 Next’, which suggests some areas need attention. For a fuller academic picture, parents would need to request the school’s most recent SATs outcomes directly or check the DfE performance tables. Without those numbers, the strongest signal of quality is the sustained Good rating from Ofsted over a decade.

On the practical side, Aylesham Primary is a mixed, state-funded primary for children aged 4 to 11, with no nursery or sixth form provision. It has a capacity of 420 pupils, though current numbers aren’t given, so it’s unclear whether the school is oversubscribed. Facilities include a library, sensory room, gymnasium, playing fields, and even a chapel, which is unusual for a non-religious school. Sports on offer range from netball and tennis to cross country and gymnastics, while clubs include coding, film club, book club, drama, and choir. The sensory room suggests some SEND provision, though specific details aren’t listed. This school would suit families in the Dover area who value a Good-rated local option with a broad range of extracurriculars and a stable leadership team, but who are prepared to dig deeper into academic outcomes before making a final decision.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Aylesham Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents