Sandling Primary School Review 2026: High-attaining Maidstone primary with ambitious curriculum design

Strong primary outcomes sit at the centre of Sandling Primary School’s offer. In the most recent Key Stage 2 cycle (2023/24), almost nine in ten pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, and almost a third achieved the higher standard. That combination suggests both secure basics and stretch for higher attainers.

The school’s tone is purposeful but not narrow. Weekly outdoor learning is part of the wider offer, and personal development is treated as more than an add-on, with pupil leadership roles such as anti-bullying ambassadors and peer mediators.

This is a Kent local authority primary, so there are no tuition fees. The practical challenge is demand: Reception entry is oversubscribed, with 119 applications for 60 offers in the latest admissions data.

Sandling frames its day-to-day culture around a simple, memorable motto: We learn together, we achieve together, we have fun together. That phrasing matters because it positions achievement as collective, rather than purely individual, and it creates permission for pupils to enjoy school without apology.

The values language is unusually specific for a primary. The school uses the PRACTISE set (Problem solver, Resilient, Adventurous, Creative, Teamwork, Independence, Self assured, Esteem), which then shows up across curriculum intent statements and extracurricular planning. The implication for parents is clarity: staff and pupils share a common vocabulary for habits that support learning, perseverance and confidence.

Personal development is treated as a lived experience rather than a poster exercise. Equality and justice are emphasised, discrimination is not tolerated, and pupils learn about different religions, cultures and beliefs in ways that help them discuss different perspectives sensibly. That tends to suit families who want a calm, structured approach to behaviour paired with explicit teaching of respect and wider understanding.

The physical setting, as described on the school website, supports outdoor learning well. The site includes a large field, a wildlife garden and an outdoor stage, and the school highlights these as everyday assets rather than occasional treats. For pupils, that usually translates into more space for play, sport, performance, and hands-on learning that reinforces classroom content.

Leadership is stable and clearly signposted. The headteacher is Miss Claire Coombes, and the wider senior team includes a named deputy head and phase leaders, which makes it easier for parents to understand who is accountable for which aspects of school life.

Sandling’s current performance profile is strong by England standards. In the latest reported Key Stage 2 cycle, 89.33% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with an England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 31.33% achieved the higher threshold, compared with an England average of 8%. Reading, mathematics and grammar, punctuation and spelling scaled scores are all high at 108, 107 and 107 respectively.

On FindMySchool’s primary outcomes table, Sandling is ranked 2,613th in England and 8th in Maidstone for primary performance (FindMySchool ranking based on official data). This places it above England average, comfortably within the top 25% of primary schools in England.

A graded inspection in May 2025 judged quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision as Good, and safeguarding arrangements as effective.

The curriculum is described in a way that will appeal to parents who like coherent sequencing. Learning is broken into small steps from early years onward, so knowledge builds over time rather than being approached as isolated topics. The practical implication is consistency: pupils who need repetition get it, and pupils who are ready to move on are less likely to be held back by unclear progression.

Reading is a clear priority. Phonics begins as soon as children start Reception, and reading practice is framed as part of the daily routine through the school. Progress checks are frequent enough that additional support can be put in quickly, which is often what families most want to know about early reading.

Teaching is also described as subject-confident. Staff are presented as having expertise in what they teach, explaining new concepts clearly and choosing resources carefully so pupils can deepen their understanding. A helpful parent-facing translation is that lessons are planned with precision rather than relying on generic activities.

Early Years is ambitious but not treated as mini-Key Stage 1. The school’s Early Years intent uses the phrase Thrill, Will & Skill, suggesting a balance of engagement, perseverance and core capability as children settle into structured learning. Where this matters most is for summer-born children or pupils with less preschool experience, because the Reception year is designed to build foundations without rushing too quickly into formality.

As a Maidstone primary, Sandling prepares pupils for the practical and emotional step up into a much larger setting. The school explicitly focuses on smoothing transition, and Year 6 pupils take part in structured activities designed to reduce anxiety and increase readiness for the next phase.

For families new to Kent, it is also worth remembering that Year 6 can sit alongside selective admissions choices. Some pupils will move on to grammar routes via the Kent Test, while others will take non-selective secondary places. A sensible approach is to treat Year 5 as the planning year, then use Year 6 transition support to help pupils feel confident about whichever route they take.

Sandling is a two-form entry primary with a Published Admissions Number of 60 for Reception, and the admissions picture is competitive. In the most recent cycle shown in the admissions data, there were 119 applications for 60 offers, which is close to two applications for every place. For parents, that means you should be realistic about the odds and make sure your full preference list is strong, not just your first choice.

Reception admissions are coordinated through Kent County Council rather than directly through the school. For September 2026 entry, the national closing date for on-time primary applications is Thursday 15 January 2026. Offers are issued on Thursday 16 April 2026, and the deadline to accept or refuse the offered place is Thursday 30 April 2026.

Open events exist, but specific dates can change from year to year. The school encourages prospective parents to attend open afternoons, and this tends to run in the autumn term pattern for many primaries. If you are timing visits for a 2026 start, check the school’s latest open-day notice before committing to travel.

A practical FindMySchool tip for oversubscribed primaries is to use the FindMySchool Map Search to check your exact home-to-school distance and to compare shortlisting options locally, rather than relying on rough postcode assumptions.

Pastoral support is clearly structured and multi-layered. The school links wellbeing to its PSHE (personal, social, health and economic education) curriculum, and it also lists practical, targeted support that goes beyond classroom teaching.

Support mechanisms include a sensory space, worry boxes, trained mental health first aiders, and access to NHS emotional wellbeing practitioners. There is also an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) and a draw and talk practitioner for pupils who benefit from structured emotional communication support.

Pupil leadership is also used as a pastoral tool. Anti-bullying ambassadors and peer mediators are trained to support friendships and help resolve low-level conflict. The implication is that social issues are addressed early, with pupils learning how to manage relationships in age-appropriate ways.

Sandling’s enrichment is not vague. The school lists a wide set of clubs, and the range signals a deliberate attempt to serve different personalities, not just sporty pupils or high academic attainers.

For creative and performance-leaning pupils, there are options such as Choir Club, Dance Club, Craft Club and Music Club. The practical benefit is confidence-building, pupils can take safe risks, perform, and see their work valued outside core lessons.

For pupils who like practical skills and responsibility, Cooking Club and First Aid stand out as unusually concrete primary clubs. These translate directly into independence, following instructions, managing tools safely, and learning how to help others.

Sport is broad rather than niche, with football, netball, tag rugby and hockey listed. Gardening Club and Wildlife Club align well with the site’s outdoor assets, and they also pair neatly with the school’s weekly outdoor learning approach, reinforcing resilience, safety awareness and problem-solving in a different setting.

The school day runs from 8:45am to 3:15pm, with pupils arriving between 8:35am and 8:45am. Total weekly school hours are 32.5 hours.

Wraparound care is provided via named local providers rather than an in-house school-run club model, which can suit families who want choice, but it does mean you will want to check availability and logistics early.

In terms of travel, the school sits in Penenden Heath on the outskirts of Maidstone. For day-to-day routines, it is worth planning for the usual peak-time pinch points around drop-off and pick-up, particularly for families coordinating siblings or childcare handovers.

• Competitive entry. Reception demand is high, with close to two applications per place in the latest admissions data. Have a strong set of alternative preferences as well as a first choice.

• Early years mathematics is the main improvement focus. Reception mathematics teaching is identified as less secure than other areas at times, with a need to ensure children build strong foundations in concepts, not just complete activities.

• Wraparound model requires planning. Childcare is signposted via external providers, so families who need early starts or late finishes should check spaces and transport arrangements well in advance.

Sandling Primary School combines high attainment with a clearly thought-through curriculum and a personal development offer that feels intentional. It suits families who want strong academic outcomes, a calm culture, and structured wellbeing support, while also valuing outdoor learning and a broad set of clubs. Entry is the limiting factor, so the best approach is to shortlist early, visit if you can, and plan your application with realistic alternatives.