St Barnabas CofE VA Primary School
98%
Capacity
206
Pupils
2.8x
Demand
About St Barnabas CofE VA Primary School
St Barnabas CofE VA Primary School is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Tunbridge Wells community, welcoming children from age 4 to 11. The school has 206 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (98% of 210 places).
Ofsted has rated St Barnabas CofE VA Primary School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Moira Duncombe, it falls under Kent local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 55% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — close to the national average. Additionally, ranked 9546th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 28th out of 31 in Tunbridge Wells.
St Barnabas CofE VA Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 83 applications for 30 places, making it 2.8x oversubscribed. Of these, 22 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 7 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 4 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Barnabas CofE VA Primary School include Outdoor Playground, Sports Hall, Forest School, Playing Fields, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Swimming, Rounders, Dance, Football, as well as clubs including Drama, Film Club, Choir.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 33.5%, which is above the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Tunbridge Wells, St Barnabas CofE VA Primary School is one of the options available in the South East region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 4 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Quarry Road, Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2EY |
| Headteacher | Moira Duncombe |
| Local Authority | Kent |
| Number of Pupils | 206 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 33.5% |
| School Capacity | 206 / 210 (98% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
24 Jan 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (24 Jan 2024): School remains Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 19 Dec 2014. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (55%)
9546th of 13,686
Nationally
1417th of 2,034
In South East
28th of 31
In Tunbridge Wells
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
55%
Expected Standard
7%
Higher Standard
'22/23
63%
'23/24
55%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
5Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
7Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed30
83
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
22 families put this school as their 1st choice (27% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Barnabas CofE VA Primary School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Quarry Road, Tunbridge Wells
Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2EY
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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