Classpot

Bishops Down Primary and Nursery School

Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9SUPrimaryAges 3–11MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Requires Improvement
May 2026
KS2 Results
60%
meeting expected standard in RWM
Competition
0.8×
Not oversubscribed
12 1st-choice / 15 places
Ranking
#7,753
of 13,686 nationally

About Bishops Down Primary and Nursery School

Bishops Down Primary and Nursery School in Tunbridge Wells is a mixed state primary for ages 3 to 11, currently operating with 200 pupils against a capacity of 210, leaving a small margin of spare places. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 15. 5 per cent, which is above the national average for primary schools and suggests a more diverse intake than some of its local peers. Demand for places is notably high: for the 2025/26 academic year, the school received 46 applications for just 15 places, an oversubscription ratio of 3. 07. Of those, 12 were first-preference applications, and 12 first-preference offers were made, meaning every family who put it first secured a spot. This level of competition indicates strong local reputation despite the school's current Ofsted rating, and suggests that families in the area view it as a viable option for their children.

Key Details

School TypePrimary (State)
Age Range3 to 11 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressRydal Drive, Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9SU
HeadteacherLaura Johnson
Local AuthorityKent
Number of Pupils200
Free School Meals (FSM)15.5%
School Capacity200 / 210 (95% full)
Nursery ClassesYes

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

1 Nov 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Requires improvement
Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Requires improvement
Early Years Provision
Requires improvement

Source: Ofsted, 11 Dec 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

SEND Support

Resourced Provision
AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguagePhysicalResourced ProvisionOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:55 – 15:15

Breakfast club

07:30-08:55

After-school care

15:15-18:00

Source: bishops-down.kent.sch.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Bishops Down Primary and Nursery School

Bishops Down Primary and Nursery School has been rated "Requires Improvement" by Ofsted. This means the school is not yet good, but inspectors believe it can improve with the right support and changes.