St Thomas' Catholic Primary School, Sevenoaks Review 2026: High-performing Catholic primary with a nursery start

Morning routines here begin with structure and purpose. The published school day includes daily prayer and liturgy, with the main day running from 08:45 to 15:15, and optional wraparound care extending from 07:30 to 18:00.

Academic outcomes are a clear strength. In the most recent published Key Stage 2 results set, 88% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, well above the England average of 62%. Scaled scores are similarly high (reading 111, mathematics 109, GPS 110).

St Thomas’ is also unusually well placed for early years continuity. It has a nursery class for children from age 3, with the school explicitly noting that nursery entry does not guarantee a Reception place.

This is a state-funded school, so there are no tuition fees.

The ethos is unambiguously Catholic, but the entry messaging is inclusive. The Reception admissions information states that the school welcomes applications from all, while still operating faith-based criteria through a supplementary form process.

The school’s stated virtues provide a practical vocabulary for daily life: perseverance, forgiveness, thankfulness, service, kindness, respect. Weekly Virtues Certificates, plus a termly virtues cup for Years 1 to 6, turn values into routines pupils can understand.

External inspection evidence from June 2025 describes a calm, safe culture where pupils contribute meaningfully to school life and the wider community, including charitable fundraising and community-facing activities that start as early as Nursery.

The governance context also matters: the school sits within the Kent Catholic Schools’ Partnership, with trust-level leadership operating alongside the head of school role. For families, this typically means policy consistency across the trust and a larger back-office infrastructure than a standalone primary would have.

On outcomes, this is a high-performing primary by any reasonable benchmark.

In the latest published Key Stage 2 dataset, 88% of pupils achieved the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined. The England comparator is 62%, which is a substantial gap. Higher attainment is also notable: 44.33% achieved the higher standard in reading, writing and maths, compared with an England average of 8%.

Subject-level indicators reinforce that picture. Reading is particularly strong, with 89% reaching the expected standard and 75% achieving the higher score measure. Mathematics is similarly secure, with 93% reaching the expected standard and 54% achieving the higher score measure. GPS outcomes (86% expected standard; 50% higher score) suggest strong foundations in accuracy and technical control. Scaled scores of 111 (reading), 109 (mathematics) and 110 (GPS) are well above the national midpoint of 100.

Rankings are consistent with the outcomes. St Thomas’ is ranked 495th in England for primary performance in the FindMySchool ranking and 1st in the Sevenoaks local area. That placement corresponds to being well above the England average, within the top 10% of schools in England. (These are proprietary FindMySchool rankings based on official data.)

For parents weighing local options, the practical implication is that this is a school where high prior attainment is sustained and extended, and where pupils aiming for selective secondary routes are likely to find the academic foundation in place by Year 6. As always, individual children’s experiences vary, but the headline outcomes strongly indicate consistent teaching quality across the core curriculum.

The curriculum narrative emphasises breadth, with a clear intent to combine knowledge-rich content with purposeful experiences. In history, for example, the school describes a planned progression from early years understanding of “the past” to a coherent, chronological understanding of British history by Year 6, complemented by world history units such as the ancient Greek civilisation.

The same page also signals how enrichment is used to deepen learning rather than decorate it: local area work to build place-based knowledge, plus trips and visitors to support specific units. Recent examples shared by the school include Year 6 pupils visiting the Imperial War Museum as part of a World War II unit, which is a good illustration of curriculum plus real-world encounter.

Mathematics is described as a mastery approach, which usually means careful sequencing, secure fluency, and structured reasoning. The published outcomes suggest that approach is translating into strong attainment by the end of Year 6.

Music is a visible pillar. The school describes specialist-led curriculum teaching alongside a menu of instrumental lessons, and ensembles that include Key Stage 2 choir groups, an orchestra, and recorder and flute ensembles. It also references performance opportunities in school, in church services, and in larger venues, indicating that music is treated as a serious, progressive discipline rather than an occasional extra.

Because this is a primary school, “destinations” is mostly about two things: the secondary transition process, and the extent to which Year 6 prepares pupils for the pathway that fits them.

In Sevenoaks and the wider Kent context, families often consider a mixture of comprehensive and selective routes. Strong Key Stage 2 outcomes do not automatically imply a grammar pathway, but they do widen the realistic set of options, including for pupils aiming to sit selection tests or access academically demanding secondaries.

The school’s own curriculum and enrichment choices imply that pupils leave with secure literacy and numeracy, plus confidence presenting work, performing, and taking part in community-facing projects. For many children, that combination makes the social and organisational step-up to Year 7 easier.

Parents considering a selective route should treat Year 6 as necessary preparation, not the whole story. Selection tests and secondary admissions rules are set externally, and requirements vary year to year. The sensible approach is to shortlist likely secondaries early, attend their open events, and plan backwards from application deadlines.

Reception entry (September 2026)

Reception admissions are coordinated through Kent County Council, via the standard Reception Common Application Form route, with the school also requiring its own supplementary information form and, where relevant, evidence such as a baptism certificate or other faith reference.

For September 2026 Reception entry, the school states that the supplementary form should be returned no later than 15 January 2026 so that applications can be ranked.

Kent’s published timeline also lists 15 January 2026 as the primary school application deadline, with National Offer Day on 16 April 2026 and an acceptance deadline of 30 April 2026.

Demand is meaningful. In the latest admissions dataset provided, there were 61 applications for 30 offers, which is about 2.03 applications per place. That level of competition usually means the details matter: priority categories, faith evidence where applicable, and submitting the right documents on time.

Nursery entry

The school runs a nursery class from age 3 and explicitly notes that Kent’s Reception entry criteria do not apply to nursery admission. Applications are made directly to the school, and the school indicates that applications are processed in January or February before a September start. Crucially, a nursery place does not guarantee a Reception place.

Visiting and open events

The school advertises open mornings, but it does not publish a single fixed calendar date on the front page. The practical implication is that viewings appear to operate by enquiry and booking, rather than a once-a-term open day model.

As a general planning point for families, it is prudent to arrange a visit early in the autumn term before the January deadline for Reception applications, particularly for faith schools where supplementary forms and evidence can add complexity.

Pastoral culture is closely tied to the school’s virtues framework, which provides shared language for behaviour and relationships. Regular recognition through certificates and class awards helps make expectations tangible for younger pupils.

Support structures include a clear SEN function. The school states that it employs a speech and language therapist and an occupational therapist directly, with the stated aim of supporting children quickly. For families navigating additional needs, that is a meaningful signal that support is intended to be responsive rather than purely referral-based.

Safeguarding information is presented as a dedicated area of the website, which is now standard practice, but still useful for parents who want to understand roles, reporting routes, and online safety expectations.

Music is the most clearly evidenced extracurricular pillar. Beyond instrumental lessons, there are structured ensembles that give pupils progressive experiences of rehearsal, teamwork, and performance: Key Stage 2 lunchtime choir groups, orchestra, recorder ensemble, and flute ensemble. The school also frames music as community-facing, including performances connected to church services and work with local care homes.

That community dimension is not limited to music. The school describes pupils working together to select charities, plan fundraising activities, and build relationships with local residents through visits and shared activities, starting from Nursery. For many families, this is the kind of character education that feels real because it is done with others, not just discussed in assemblies.

Sport and physical education are positioned as both curriculum and participation, including Sports Day and inter-school competitions, with after-school clubs supporting skill development. Specific club names and timetables are not published as a single, stable list, so parents should expect the precise offer to vary by term.

The published school day runs from 08:45 registration, with school ending at 15:15. Lunch is listed as noon to 13:10.

Wraparound care is clearly set out. Breakfast Club runs 07:30 to 08:30 at £7.00 per day, and After School Club runs 15:15 to 18:00 at £17.00 per day. The school also states it has 45 regular places available for the wraparound provision.

Transport and access will be straightforward for families already in Sevenoaks, particularly those who can walk, but parents relying on driving should factor in typical primary drop-off constraints and the likelihood of competition for close parking around peak times. For precise travel planning, it is worth doing a test run at the relevant time of day.

• Competition for places. With around 2 applications per place for Reception in the latest dataset, families should treat deadlines and documentation as critical, not administrative. The faith element can add extra steps, particularly around supplementary forms and supporting evidence.

• Nursery does not guarantee Reception. The school is explicit that a nursery place does not create an automatic route into Reception. This is important for families hoping for a seamless 3 to 11 journey.

• A strongly Catholic rhythm. Prayer and liturgy are built into the week and the wider Catholic Life programme is prominent. Families who want a faith-shaped daily experience are likely to value this; those who prefer a more secular model should consider fit carefully.

• Wraparound is a paid service with capacity limits. The hours are helpful for working families, but it is not unlimited, and costs can add up over a full week.

St Thomas’ Catholic Primary School, Sevenoaks sits firmly in the high-performing bracket for primary outcomes in England, with a rare combination of strong end of Key Stage 2 attainment, a nursery entry point from age 3, and a clearly articulated Catholic ethos. The practical challenge is admission, not the educational offer.

Who it suits: families looking for a values-led Catholic primary with strong academic outcomes and a structured daily routine, particularly those organised enough to manage supplementary admissions requirements and timelines.