Bidborough Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

About Bidborough Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Bidborough Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School is a state primary for mixed pupils aged 4 to 11, located in Tunbridge Wells. It currently has 197 pupils against a capacity of 210, meaning it is not yet full but clearly in high demand. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 93 applications for 30 places, with 29 of those as first preferences, of which 26 were offered. That gives an oversubscription ratio of 3.1 to one, a strong signal that local families are keen to secure a place. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 5.1%, well below the national average of around 23% and also lower than the Kent average, reflecting the relatively affluent catchment. The school has a Church of England religious character and is led by headteacher Julie Burton. Its most recent Ofsted inspection, an ungraded visit in November 2022, confirmed that the school remains Good, a rating it has held consistently across its previous graded inspections.

Academically, Bidborough performs well above the local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 77% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Kent average of 63%. The school ranks 8th out of 31 primary schools in Tunbridge Wells, placing it in the top 25% locally, and 313th out of 2,034 in the South East region. Subject-level results are strong: 87% reached the expected standard in reading, 83% in writing, and 80% in maths. Higher-standard attainment is also notable, with 57% achieving greater depth in reading and 43% in maths. Average scaled scores were 109 in reading and 107 in maths, both above the national benchmark of 100. The school does not have a sixth form, as it is a primary, and there is no nursery provision on site.

Facilities include a dining hall, gymnasium, library, sports hall, playing fields, an outdoor playground and a chapel. Sports offered include dance, athletics, swimming, netball, cricket and rounders, and there are clubs such as Eco Club, Book Club, Drama and Chess. The school has identified SEND provisions for specific learning difficulties including dyslexia, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. With strong academic outcomes and high local demand, Bidborough suits families who prioritise a Church of England primary with a strong track record in core subjects and a range of extracurricular activities. The nearest outstanding-rated school is Speldhurst Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, 2.2 km away, which may be an alternative for those seeking a higher Ofsted grade.

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