Madginford Primary School

About Madginford Primary School

Madginford Primary School is a mixed state primary in Maidstone, Kent, currently operating close to capacity with 627 pupils against a school capacity of 654. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 14.4%, which is worth noting in the local context of Kent’s wider demographics. Demand for places is strong: for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 140 applications for just 56 total places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.5. Of those, 49 were first-preference offers, meaning the school is clearly a popular choice among local families. The school is led by headteacher Amanda Woolcombe and has no religious character. It does not offer nursery provision or a sixth form, so it serves the standard primary age range of 4 to 11.

Academically, Madginford’s most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023 rated the school as Good overall, with leadership and management also judged Good. Its early years provision was rated Outstanding, a strong foundation for younger pupils. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 results, 61% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, slightly below the Kent local authority average of 63%. The school’s average scores in reading and maths were both 104, and 11% of pupils achieved the higher standard across all three subjects. In the Maidstone local authority ranking, Madginford sits 23rd out of 44 primary schools, placing it in the bottom 50% nationally by this metric. Compared with its previous inspection in 2008, when it was rated Outstanding, the school has seen a downgrade, though the 2023 ungraded inspection confirmed it remains Good.

The school offers a range of facilities including an ICT suite, forest school area, gymnasium, music rooms and a chapel. Sports provision covers football, cricket, gymnastics, swimming and rounders, while clubs include eco club, book club, drama and choir. For pupils with additional needs, the school supports moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, multi-sensory impairment, and other difficulties or disabilities. Given its oversubscription, families should be prepared to apply early and list it as a first preference. The nearest Outstanding-rated alternative is Maidstone, St John’s Church of England Primary School, 1.5 km away, which may appeal to those seeking a higher Ofsted grade. Madginford suits families who value a well-subscribed community primary with strong early years provision and a broad range of extracurricular activities.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Madginford Primary School

Helpful Guides for Parents