Palm Bay Primary School
Palm Bay Avenue, Cliftonville, Margate, CT9 3PPOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Palm Bay Primary School is a primary school in Margate for ages 5 to 11. It is one of the 692 schools in Kent. It ranks 2nd of 8 primary schools in Margate. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in January 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 28 January 2025, report published 2 March 2025
This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 28 January 2025
Pupils achieve well in this happy, busy and friendly school. The school sets high expectations for all pupils' achievement and behaviour, regardless of ability or background. Pupils rise to these high expectations. They greet visitors politely and talk about their school with pride. They understand why the school's values are important and talk sensibly about their meaning. Pupils want to do well and they work hard. They usually behave well, move around the school in a sensible manner and treat adults and each other with respect. Those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) benefit from high-quality support and learn well. The school makes an exceptionally strong contribution to pupils' personal development and well-being. The school makes full use of its proximity to the beach to enrich and enliven learning, with a wide range of activities and experiences built into the curriculum. Pupils enjoy opportunities to take on a wide range of responsibilities, such as house captain, play leader and school councillor. The school makes sure that all pupils can join in with clubs and activities and participation rates are high. The school gives pupils' mental health a strong priority. Pupils know who to speak to if they are worried about something.
What the school should improve
- In a few of the foundation subjects, the disciplinary skills element of the curriculum is less well developed than the substantive knowledge content. As a result, while pupils are acquiring important knowledge, they are less secure in applying it to explain ideas or interpret information. The school should continue its efforts to refine the curriculum design to achieve a better balance between knowledge and skills.
- Some pupils do not attend school as well as they should. This means that they miss key learning and are at risk of falling behind. The school should maintain its focus on promoting the importance of regular attendance and continue its work to ensure that all pupils attend well.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
59 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
407 pupils on roll, with places for 428
Schools near Palm Bay Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cliftonville Primary School | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 44% met the expected standard |
| Northdown Primary School | 0.8 miles | Ofsted: Good | 52% met the expected standard |
| Drapers Mills Primary Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 51% met the expected standard |
| Callis Grange Nursery and Infant School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| St Peter-in-Thanet CofE Junior School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Outstanding | 60% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- EKC SCHOOLS TRUST LIMITED
- Age range
- 5 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Miss Gemma Silk
- Phone
- 01843290050
- Address
- Palm Bay Avenue, Cliftonville, Margate, CT9 3PP
- Local authority
- Kent
- URN
- 148992
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.