Swalecliffe Community Primary School

  • Primary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 4 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Bridgefield Road, Swalecliffe, Whitstable, CT5 2PHOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Swalecliffe Community Primary School is a primary school in Whitstable for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 692 schools in Kent. It ranks 5th of 5 primary schools in Whitstable. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in June 2013.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 27 June 2013, report published 19 July 2013

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 13 September 2023

Pupils are ambitious to live up to the school rules of 'ready, respectful and safe'. The school ensures that there is a high priority given to fostering strong relationships between staff and pupils. There is a positive environment in classrooms. Pupils are happy and feel safe. Pupils recognise how to treat each other with kindness. On the rare occasions bullying occurs, adults take effective action to swiftly resolve it. Pupils focus well on their learning. Adults have high expectations of all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Pupils with SEND achieve well alongside their peers. The school puts reading at the heart of the curriculum. Good-quality key texts throughout the curriculum help bring pupils' learning to life. Pupils value leadership roles, such as being 'subject champions' and serving on the school council. These responsibilities allow pupils to have an impact on the school. For example, the 'maths champions' have run a mathematics club which inspires pupils across the school. Pupils' well-being is a priority. The pastoral team and the school 'hub' provide important support for pupils, which ensures all pupils are ready to learn. Pupils are considerate of each other's needs.

What the school should improve

  • Additional support for some weaker readers is not fully effective. These pupils do not read with enough fluency or confidence. The school should continue to embed the new phonics scheme and ensure that any extra interventions are matched to pupils' needs precisely.
  • In some subjects, pupils are not making links in their learning or building on their previous knowledge effectively enough. This means that they do not achieve as highly as they could. The school needs to continue its work to refine the curriculum so that pupils know how their learning connects together.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

77 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths52%

52%, 10 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths6%

6%, 2 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score104

104, 2 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score101

101, 4 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score102

102, 3 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

492 pupils on roll, with places for 630

Eligible for free school meals17.1%

17.1%, 9.4 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language1.6%

1.6%, 20 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support12.2%

12.2%, 2.6 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2%

2%, 4 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Swalecliffe Community Primary School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Whitstable0.9 milesOfsted: Good68% met the expected standard
Westmeads Community Infant School1 mileOfsted judgements: OutstandingNot published
Whitstable and Seasalter Endowed Church of England Junior School1 mileOfsted: Outstanding73% met the expected standard
Whitstable Junior School1 mileOfsted: Good68% met the expected standard
St Alphege Church of England Infant School2 milesOfsted: GoodNot published

School details

School type
Foundation school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Trust
The Coastal Alliance Co-operative Trust
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mr Ben Cooper
Address
Bridgefield Road, Swalecliffe, Whitstable, CT5 2PH
Local authority
Kent
URN
118558

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.