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OpenPrimaryOfsted: GoodURN 147751

Thornden Wood Primary School

Academy converter · Herne Bay · CT6 7RS

Ages 4–11 · 337 pupils · Kent

School website

Ofsted

Good

KS2 expected (RWM)

78%

Overall absence

6.5%

Admissions demand

0.86 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2024-02-20

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 2 (2023/24)

Expected standard (RWM)78%
Higher standard (RWM)12%
Avg scaled score — reading
109.0
Avg scaled score — maths
108.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
107.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence6.5%
Persistent absence (10%+)17.5%
Unauthorised2.4%
Authorised absence
4.2%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.4%
Enrolments in measure
269

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for primary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.86 · Often has places

1st preferences

32

Places offered

37

1st-preference offers

32

Total preferences (any rank)
86
Preferred offers (top 3)
37
Applications from outside LA
1
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill80%

337 pupils · 420 places

Pupils on roll
337
Boys / girls
170 / 167
School capacity
420
Capacity fill
337 / 420 (80%)
Free school meals
41.8%
FSM pupils
141
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 4–11

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: EKC SCHOOLS TRUST LIMITED
Academy trust
EKC SCHOOLS TRUST LIMITED
Headteacher
Mrs Kate Espley

Location

Address
Greenhill Road
Postcode
CT6 7RS
Town
Herne Bay
County
Kent
Local authority
Kent
District
Canterbury
Constituency
Herne Bay and Sandwich
Urban/rural
Urban: Further from a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (primary), Ages 4–11, in Herne Bay, Kent, 337 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy. Free school meals: 41.8%.

Open schools in Herne Bay
9
Primary schools in Herne Bay
7
Academies among open schools in Herne Bay
44% (4)
Open schools in CT6
9
Primary in CT6
7
Open schools in Kent LA
713
Primary in Kent LA
459

Nearby primary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in Herne BayNear CT6

  • Hampton Primary School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Primary

    Herne Bay · CT6 8NB · Kent

    Ages 3–11

    • KS255%
    • Absence7.1%
    • FSM32.5%
    • Demand0.90

    0.5 miles away

  • Herne Bay Infant School

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Community school · Primary

    Herne Bay · CT6 5SH · Kent

    Ages 3–7

    • Absence6.4%
    • FSM44.3%
    • Demand1.00

    1.3 miles away

  • Herne Bay Junior School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Foundation school · Primary

    Herne Bay · CT6 5DA · Kent

    Ages 7–11

    • KS242%
    • Absence7.7%
    • FSM45.3%

    1.4 miles away

  • Herne Church of England Junior School

    Ofsted: School remains Outstanding

    Voluntary aided school · Primary

    Herne Bay · CT6 7AL · Kent

    Ages 7–11

    • KS288%
    • Absence4.7%
    • FSM15.5%

    1.5 miles away

  • Swalecliffe Community Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Foundation school · Primary

    Whitstable · CT5 2PH · Kent

    Ages 4–11

    • KS260%
    • Absence6.3%
    • FSM17.1%
    • Demand0.91

    1.9 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Kate Espley
Telephone
01227373095
Website
www.thorndenwood.kent.sch.uk/

Official links