The Holy Family Catholic Primary School

About The Holy Family Catholic Primary School

The Holy Family Catholic Primary School sits within the Kent local authority, a large county with 459 primary schools. Among these, the school ranks 73rd, placing it comfortably in the top quarter of its peers. Its closest high-performing neighbours include Stelling Minnis Church of England Primary School, Leigh Academy Dartford, and Temple Ewell Church of England Primary School, which occupy the top three spots locally. For families considering a Roman Catholic option in Maidstone, Holy Family stands out as a solid choice, particularly given its recent improvement. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023, the school was rated Good across every category — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. This marks a significant turnaround from its previous inspection in 2019, when it was graded Requires Improvement across the board. The school now serves 208 pupils, operating very close to its capacity of 210, and is heavily oversubscribed: for the 2025/26 intake, it received 35 applications for just 17 places, with 15 of those coming as first preferences.

Academically, Holy Family delivers strong results for a school with a high proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals — 58.7 per cent, well above the national average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 78 per cent of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths combined. That figure is 15 points above the Kent local authority average of 63 per cent, and it places the school 8th out of 44 primary schools in the Maidstone district. The school’s ranking score of 78 puts it in the top 25 per cent nationally. Looking at individual subjects, 81 per cent reached the expected standard in writing, and 78 per cent did so in both reading and maths. At the higher standard, 19 per cent achieved greater depth in reading and writing, while 15 per cent did so in maths. Average scaled scores in reading and maths both sit at 106, a point above the national benchmark of 100. Progress scores are not available in the data, but the attainment figures alone suggest the school is effectively supporting its pupils to achieve well above local norms.

The school is well equipped for a primary of its size, with facilities including a chapel, forest school, music rooms, a gymnasium, sports hall, and playing fields. Sports on offer include football, cricket, tennis, dance, gymnastics, and swimming, while clubs range from film and drama to gardening, science, and eco club. The school’s SEND provision covers a broad spectrum, including support for autistic spectrum disorder, speech, language and communication needs, social, emotional and mental health difficulties, hearing impairment, physical disability, and moderate learning difficulty. This makes it a practical option for families whose children have additional needs, though oversubscription means securing a place is competitive. With a strong Catholic identity, a recent Ofsted turnaround, and outcomes that outstrip the local average, Holy Family suits families who prioritise academic standards within a faith-based setting and are prepared to apply early. The nearest Outstanding-rated school is Leigh Academy Molehill, 1.5 km away, but Holy Family’s Good rating and upward trajectory make it a compelling local alternative.

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