Pilgrims' Way Primary School

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 3 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Pilgrims Way, Canterbury, CT1 1XUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Pilgrims' Way Primary School is a primary school in Canterbury for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 692 schools in Kent. It ranks 25th of 27 primary schools in Canterbury. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in September 2022.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 21 September 2022, report published 19 October 2022

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 September 2022

Pilgrims' Way is a welcoming, friendly and supportive place to be. Pupils get on well together and have a sense of belonging in this vibrant, caring community. Pupils describe their school as a happy and beautiful place. They say that pupils are kind, respectful and well behaved. The values of 'respect, resilient, aspire, positive, success' are at the heart of everything that the school does. Pupils enjoy coming to school, where everyone is included and encouraged to do their best. Children get off to an outstanding start in Nursery and Reception. Pupils are happy at school and enjoy their learning. They are proud of the school and their achievements. They say, 'It's okay to make mistakes because that's how you learn.' Pupils feel safe in school. Their well-being is a priority for everyone. Pupils have very positive and trusting relationships with staff. They know adults will listen to them if they have any concerns or worries, including about bullying if it should happen. Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school. They participate in the 'mile a day', or at least three laps around the field. Pupils explained, 'It's good for us and gets our hearts racing and blood pumping'.

What the school should improve

  • The key knowledge that pupils need to learn and remember is not as well defined in some subjects as it is in others. Teachers are not always completely clear about the explicit knowledge pupils need to learn to meet challenging end points. Leaders need to refine the curriculum to make more explicit the key knowledge that they would like pupils to know and remember.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

52 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths44%

44%, 18 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 8 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score100

100, 6 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score100

100, 5 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score101

101, 4 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

404 pupils on roll, with places for 420

Eligible for free school meals51.7%

51.7%, 25.2 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language46.8%

46.8%, 25.2 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support16.6%

16.6%, 1.8 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.2%

4.2%, 1.8 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Pilgrims' Way Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
St Thomas' Catholic Primary School, Canterbury0.9 milesOfsted: Good80% met the expected standard
St Johns Church of England Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good38% met the expected standard
St Peter's Methodist Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good63% met the expected standard
Parkside Community Foundation Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good23% met the expected standard
Wincheap Foundation Primary School1 mileOfsted: Good66% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy sponsor led
Sector
Academy
Trust
VERITAS MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mrs Emma Campbell
Address
Pilgrims Way, Canterbury, CT1 1XU
Local authority
Kent
URN
145951

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.