Upton Junior School

About Upton Junior School

Upton Junior School is a state primary in Thanet, Kent, for children aged 7 to 11, and it sits among the strongest performers in the area. In the most recent local rankings, it placed 4th out of 25 primary schools in Thanet, putting it in the top 25% of its immediate peers. Across Kent as a whole, where there are 459 state primaries, it ranks 83rd, and it also performs well regionally, sitting in the 15th percentile among over 2,000 South East primaries. The top-ranked schools in the wider Kent area include Stelling Minnis Church of England Primary School, Leigh Academy Dartford, and Temple Ewell Church of England Primary School. Upton is also one of 54 outstanding-rated primaries in the county, and its nearest outstanding neighbour is St Mildred's Primary Infant School, just 0.3 kilometres away. The school is led by headteacher Darci Arthur and is significantly oversubscribed, with 516 pupils on roll against a capacity of 512.

Academically, Upton Junior School delivers strong outcomes at Key Stage 2. In the 2023/24 results, 77% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, well above the Kent local authority average of 63%. The school also excels at the higher standard, with 15% of pupils achieving that benchmark. In reading, the average score was 107, with 37% of pupils reaching the higher standard, while in maths the average score was 105 and 28% achieved the higher level. Writing saw 92% of pupils meeting the expected standard and 31% reaching the higher tier. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, in January 2025, awarded Outstanding grades across the board: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. This continues a strong track record, as the previous inspection in 2014 also rated the school Outstanding overall.

Upton Junior School offers a broad range of facilities including a sports hall, library, art studios, music rooms, and a chapel, plus outdoor playgrounds and playing fields. Sports provision includes tennis, netball, swimming, cricket, and gymnastics, while clubs range from coding and chess to gardening and film club. The school supports a wide spectrum of SEND needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language communication needs, and social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Parent feedback from the most recent Parent View survey, with 106 responses, was overwhelmingly positive: 88% of parents strongly agreed or agreed that their child is happy, and 89% felt their child is safe. 83% would recommend the school to other parents. However, only 52% of parents agreed or strongly agreed that SEND children receive the support they need, and 26% disagreed on that point. This is a school that suits families seeking strong academic outcomes in a well-resourced setting, particularly those who value a structured, high-expectation environment.

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