Groombridge St Thomas' Church of England Primary School
Corseley Road, Groombridge, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 9SFOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Groombridge St Thomas' Church of England Primary School is a primary school in Tunbridge Wells for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 214 schools in East Sussex. It ranks 9th of 22 primary schools in Tunbridge Wells. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in April 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 25 April 2023, report published 26 June 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 25 April 2023
Pupils are happy to be part of this school. They are proud of the values of excellence, compassion and enthusiasm that are threaded through all of school life. Pupils know that all staff want the best for them. They are motivated by the 'Groombridge aspirations' and are keen to behave well and work hard. Leaders have set high expectations for learning and behaviour and, as a result, pupils achieve well. Pupils feel safe. They understand what bullying is and all have trusted adults they can speak to if they are worried. There is very little bullying here. Staff are swift to resolve any unkindness that might happen. There are strong relationships between pupils and adults that start right from the early years. This is an inclusive school. Pupils understand why it is important to celebrate each other's differences. All pupils, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), benefit from being fully included in school life. This is particularly evident in the sporting opportunities offered both in school and as part of the wider curriculum. Parents praise the nurturing environment, where they see their children thriving and being developed as individuals.
What the school should improve
- In some areas of the curriculum, the sequencing of knowledge is not yet complete. Pupils remember information, but it is not always connected in a way that builds into a rich and deep body of knowledge. Leaders need to continue with their ambitious redesign of the final few subjects to ensure that knowledge develops cumulatively from Reception through to Year 6.
- Teachers' knowledge and pedagogical strategies are not yet consistently strong across all subjects. This means that teachers can sometimes set work for pupils that does not help pupils to learn the knowledge they need. Leaders need to ensure that staff have the knowledge and confidence required to implement the planned curriculum successfully.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
19 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
117 pupils on roll, with places for 218
Schools near Groombridge St Thomas' Church of England Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holmewood House School | 2 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Langton Green Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 88% met the expected standard |
| St Michael's Primary School | 2 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | 71% met the expected standard |
| Fordcombe Church of England Primary School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 62% met the expected standard |
| Rusthall St Paul's CofE Primary School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | 65% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary aided school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Elizabeth Derham
- Phone
- 01892864305
- Address
- Corseley Road, Groombridge, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 9SF
- Local authority
- East Sussex
- URN
- 114559
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.