Bobbing Village School

About Bobbing Village School

Bobbing Village School is a state primary in Swale, Kent, and the numbers tell a clear story about its popularity with local families. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 127 applications for just 26 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 4.88. Of those applications, 23 were first-preference choices, and 23 first-preference offers were made, meaning every family who put it first got a place. That level of demand suggests a strong local reputation, though it's worth noting that the school's most recent Ofsted inspection, in June 2024, rated overall effectiveness as 'Requires improvement'. That's a drop from its previous inspection in 2017, which was graded 'Outstanding'. The current inspection found behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management, also 'Requires improvement', while quality of education and early years provision were both rated 'Good'.

Academically, the school's Key Stage 2 results for 2023/24 are a mixed bag. 77% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is well above the local authority average of 63%. That puts Bobbing Village School in the top 25% of schools nationally for this measure, ranking 9th out of 48 schools in Swale. However, only 10% of pupils reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths, and the maths higher percentage was 47%, while reading hit 60%. Average scores were 108 in maths and 110 in reading, both above the national benchmark of 100. The school doesn't have progress scores available, so it's hard to say how much value it adds compared with similar pupils elsewhere, but the attainment levels are solid, particularly in reading.

The school offers a decent range of facilities for a primary of its size, including a sensory room, forest school, art studios and a chapel. Sports provision covers netball, gymnastics, dance, football, tennis, cricket and swimming, and there are clubs for drama, gardening, choir, chess and book club. SEND support is available for social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication, physical disability, and autistic spectrum disorder. With 199 pupils against a capacity of 210, the school is nearly full, and the 10.1% free school meals rate is below the national average. This is a school that clearly appeals to local families, particularly those who value a strong academic baseline and a broad range of activities, though the recent Ofsted rating means it's worth visiting to see how the 'Requires improvement' areas are being addressed.

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