St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Primary School Review 2026: Academic Excellence with a Nurturing Heart

Set in the green outskirts of Tonbridge within the parish of Corpus Christi, St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Primary School combines a gentle, community focused atmosphere with some of the most impressive academic results in Kent. This two form entry academy serves approximately 380 pupils and operates with a clear, faith led mission that permeates daily life.

The 2024 Key Stage 2 results are exceptional, placing the school in the top tier of primary schools in England. Beyond the statistics, the school is known for its stability; many staff members have served the community for years, and the leadership maintains a steady, ambitious course. As part of the Kent Catholic Schools Partnership (KCSP), the school benefits from a wide network of support while maintaining its distinct, welcoming identity.

The school occupies a spacious, well ordered site on Trench Road. The physical environment is designed to be both functional and inspiring, featuring expansive playing fields and dedicated areas for quiet reflection. Being a Catholic school, the religious character is the bedrock of the institution. Sacred spaces and displays of children's work reflecting Gospel values are found throughout the building.

The atmosphere is one of purposeful calm. Pupils move between lessons with a sense of responsibility, and there is a visible culture of mutual respect between year groups. Since September 2022, the school has been led by Principal Fiona Oubridge, who previously served as the school's deputy head. This internal succession has provided a seamless transition, ensuring that the school's core values of kindness, trust, and academic ambition remain steadfast.

The school is deeply integrated into the local parish. Regular Masses and liturgies are not merely scheduled events but are central to the rhythm of the school year. This fosters a sense of belonging to something larger than the school itself, creating a supportive environment where children feel known and valued as individuals.

St Margaret Clitherow consistently achieves outcomes that far exceed both local and England averages. In 2024, 84% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, a figure significantly higher than the England average of 61%.

The school sits in the elite tier for performance, ranking 961st out of over 15,000 schools in England (FindMySchool ranking). Locally, it is ranked 2nd among all primary schools in Tonbridge. This places the school well above the England average, comfortably within the top 10% of schools nationwide.

The depth of achievement is equally notable. At the higher standard, 22% of pupils achieved greater depth across all three core subjects, compared to the England average of 8%. The average scaled score in reading was 110 (England average: 105) and in mathematics was 109 (England average: 104), reflecting a cohort that is high achieving across the curriculum.

Teaching follows a rigorous and ambitious framework. The curriculum is designed to challenge pupils while providing the support necessary for everyone to succeed. In the early years, the focus is on establishing strong foundations in phonics and numeracy, which pays dividends as pupils move through the school.

The school's most recent graded inspection in November 2022 rated the school Good overall, with Personal Development and Behaviour and Attitudes both judged as Outstanding. This confirms that the quality of education is high, noting that teachers have expert subject knowledge and plan lessons that build effectively on what pupils already know.

The Catholic ethos informs the curriculum, particularly in Religious Education and the wider humanities, where pupils are encouraged to consider ethical perspectives and social justice. The school uses a variety of assessment tools to track progress, ensuring that any pupil falling behind is identified and supported quickly.

Transition to secondary school is a significant focus in Year 6. Given the school's location in Kent, the 11 plus process for grammar school entry is a major factor for many families. The school provides a supportive environment during this period, focusing on maintaining wellbeing while pupils navigate entrance exams.

According to leaver data, approximately 30% of pupils progress to St Gregory’s Catholic School in Tunbridge Wells, which is the most common destination. Many other pupils secure places at local grammar schools, including Weald of Kent Grammar School (11%), Tonbridge Grammar School (6%), and The Judd School (6%). The school maintains strong links with these providers to ensure a smooth transition for all students, regardless of their destination.

St Margaret Clitherow is a highly sought after school. In 2024, there were 71 applications for 40 places, meaning the school is significantly oversubscribed. As a voluntary academy, the governors are the admission authority, and they apply a clear hierarchy of criteria.

Priority is given to baptised Catholic children living in the parish of Corpus Christi, Tonbridge. Families must provide a Certificate of Catholic Practice and a baptismal certificate. While the school welcomes children from other faiths and none, the oversubscription criteria mean that those within the Catholic faith and the local parish are most likely to secure a place.

Prospective parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to assess their proximity to the school gates, though for this school, faith commitment and parish residence are the primary factors for entry.

The school's small, community led feel is its greatest pastoral asset. Because many staff members have been with the school for a long time, there is a deep institutional memory of families, which helps in identifying when a child might need extra support.

The Clitherow Way encourages pupils to be selfless, resilient, and aspiring. These values are woven into the behaviour policy, which focuses on positive reinforcement and restorative justice. For pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), the school provides tailored support, and inspectors noted that pupils with additional needs make good progress because their requirements are identified early.

The extracurricular life of the school is varied and active. Music is a particular strength, with a school choir that regularly performs at parish and community events. Sport also plays a major role, and the school makes full use of its Trench Road playing fields for football, netball, and athletics.

STEM

The school has invested in modern technology to support the computing curriculum. STEM activities are integrated into the school day, with pupils using iPads and programmable devices to learn the basics of coding. Science is taught with an emphasis on hands on investigation, making use of the school's outdoor spaces and Forest School programme for environmental studies.

The school day begins at 8:50am and ends at 3:15pm. For families requiring wraparound care, the school offers a Breakfast Club from 7:30am and an After School Club (ARC) that runs until 6:00pm, providing a safe and familiar environment for children of working parents.

Travel to the school is primarily by car or on foot for local residents. The school is situated on the outskirts of Tonbridge, two miles north of the railway station.

Fees & Financial Aid

This is a state funded academy; there are no tuition fees for attending the school. The school receives Pupil Premium funding to support eligible pupils, which is used to provide additional academic support and ensure all children can participate in trips and enrichment activities. Families eligible for Free School Meals may also receive support with uniform costs and school trip expenses.

• Faith Commitment: This is a Catholic school where the religious character is genuine and pervasive. Families who are not practicing Catholics should be aware that they are lower in the admissions priority and that daily life includes explicit religious teaching and prayer.
• Oversubscribed Status: With nearly two applications for every place, securing entry is the primary hurdle. Parents should ensure they complete both the Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) and the school's Supplementary Information Form (SIF) correctly and on time.
• 11 Plus Pressure: Because the school is high achieving and located in a selective area, the grammar school culture in Year 5 and 6 can feel intense. The school works hard to mitigate this, but it is a factor of the local educational landscape.

St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Primary School is a high performing, values driven school that successfully balances academic rigor with a nurturing, faith filled environment. Its results are among the best in the country, yet it remains a warm, community focused place to learn. It is best suited to Catholic families in the Tonbridge area who want an education that develops both the intellect and the character. For those who secure a place, the educational experience is exceptional.