Elham Church of England Primary School

About Elham Church of England Primary School

Elham Church of England Primary School sits in the bottom half of Kent primary schools when it comes to the proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined. At 42%, that figure is well below the local authority average of 63% for the 2023/24 academic year. The school ranks 386th out of 459 primaries in Kent on this measure, placing it in the bottom 50% nationally. Within the Folkestone and Hythe district, it comes 29th out of 35 schools. These headline metrics suggest a school where academic attainment at Key Stage 2 is significantly lower than what most other schools in the county achieve, and parents looking at raw results will want to weigh this against other factors.

A closer look at the individual subject scores reveals a more mixed picture. In reading, 74% of pupils met the expected standard, and the average scaled score of 106 is solidly above the national benchmark of 100. Writing was even stronger, with 79% reaching the expected level. Maths, however, was a weaker spot: only 58% hit the expected standard, and no pupils achieved the higher standard in that subject. The school's most recent graded Ofsted inspection, in 2013, rated it Good overall, with leadership and management also judged Good. A subsequent ungraded inspection in 2022 confirmed the school remains Good. That's a clear improvement from its previous inspection in 2011, when it was rated Requires Improvement. So while the headline attainment data is below average, the school has been judged to be providing a good standard of education by inspectors.

Elham is a small village primary with 107 pupils against a capacity of 140, and it is oversubscribed: for 2025/26, there were 36 applications for just 6 places, with all 6 first-preference applicants offered a spot. That ratio of 6 applications per place suggests strong local demand. The school offers a Forest School, a sensory room, a chapel, and a range of clubs including eco club and science club. Sports provision includes athletics, gymnastics, dance, football, cricket and tennis. SEND support is in place for pupils with specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, speech and language needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. With a Church of England character and a headteacher who has been in post since at least the last inspection, this is a school that may suit families who prioritise a small, community-focused setting and a good Ofsted rating over raw academic scores.

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