Trottiscliffe Church of England Primary School Review 2026: Small village primary with top 10% KS2 outcomes

Outcomes at the end of Key Stage 2 are strong, and unusually so given the very small cohort sizes typical of schools like this.

In 2024, 78% met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with 62% across England. The scaled scores are also high: reading 111, mathematics 108, and grammar, punctuation and spelling (GPS) 112.

High attainment stands out. At the higher standard in reading, writing and maths, 39% achieved greater depth, versus 8% in England.

The school also sits strongly in the FindMySchool rankings based on official outcomes data. Ranked 409th in England and 1st in West Malling for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), this places it well above the England average, in the top 10% of schools in England.

Parents comparing options nearby can use the FindMySchool Local Hub page and Comparison Tool to view these outcomes side by side with other local primaries.

The curriculum is structured in the expected way for a maintained primary, with the school setting out coverage of the National Curriculum subjects including the core of English, mathematics and science, alongside foundation subjects such as computing, design and technology, and modern foreign languages at Key Stage 2.

What matters more for families is how well the sequencing and classroom practice hold together across mixed age groups and small classes. The most recent Ofsted report highlights an ambitious, usually well sequenced curriculum, with reading a clear priority and consistent phonics practice from Reception. It also flags an improvement point: in a small number of subjects, curriculum sequencing is not ordered effectively enough, which is a useful prompt for parent questions during a visit.

Support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities is described as early and effective in the same report, with teaching assistants used to help pupils access the full curriculum, and adaptation where needed.

As a primary school, the main transition is into secondary in Kent at Year 7. Families typically think about this in two ways: the mainstream route into local non selective secondaries, and the selective grammar route for pupils sitting the Kent Test.

The school does not publish a destination list on the pages reviewed. In practical terms, this means families should ask directly about recent secondary transfer patterns, including how the school supports the Year 6 to Year 7 transition, and what its typical approach is to Kent Test familiarisation for families considering selective options.

A small school can be a real advantage here if communication is strong, because staff often know children and families very well by the end of Year 6.

Reception entry is coordinated by Kent County Council, and the school states a Published Admission Number of 12 places in Reception. Its oversubscription priorities are set out clearly: children in local authority care, siblings, health and special access reasons, then nearness of home to school.

The demand picture is tight. In the most recent admissions results for primary entry, there were 39 applications and 12 offers, recorded as oversubscribed, which equates to 3.25 applications per place.

For 2026 entry across Kent, the key countywide dates are: applications open Friday 7 November 2025; national closing date Thursday 15 January 2026; national offer day Thursday 16 April 2026; and the deadline to accept or refuse Thursday 30 April 2026.

The school also signals that it runs events prior to September to help new children and parents settle, and its home page messaging points to an open day typically held in the autumn. Exact dates change year to year, so it is sensible to check the school calendar or ask the office before relying on last year’s pattern.

Families considering this school should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates, then compare it with historical allocation patterns published by the local authority. Even when a school publishes distance based criteria, outcomes vary annually with demand.

Pastoral work in a small primary is often about consistency and responsiveness. The 2022 Ofsted report describes pupils feeling safe and secure, and notes that staff act quickly to resolve issues raised by pupils, including any bullying concerns.

The school’s Church school framing also shapes pastoral language. It talks about kindness, respect, and a community in which children are valued and encouraged to flourish, which aligns with what many parents look for in a village primary.

For a very small school, the extracurricular menu is strikingly detailed and changes by term. The school lists a wide range of clubs and activities, including LEGO Club, Choir Club, Gardening Club, Drama Club, and specific sport and movement options such as netball, tennis, ballet, and yoga and mindfulness.

The benefit for families is twofold. First, children can try new activities without the expectation that they already have experience, which can be important in small cohorts. Second, the rotation across terms gives pupils multiple entry points, so a child who is reluctant in autumn can join later without feeling behind.

The Ofsted report also references interesting trips that are closely linked to classroom learning, which is usually a good proxy for well planned enrichment rather than one off days out.

School day timings are published. Gates open 8:45am to 9:00am, children enter classrooms from 8:50am with registration closing at 9:00am. Finish times are 3:25pm for Early Years and Key Stage 1, and 3:30pm for Key Stage 2.

Wraparound care information is mixed. The school has published news about after school care being offered in sessions that fit around clubs, but breakfast club details are not clearly published on the pages reviewed, so families should check current arrangements directly.

On transport, the setting is rural village based, so most families will think for walking, short local drives, and school run logistics rather than rail links. If you rely on childcare handovers, ask explicitly about parking expectations at drop off and pick up, and whether after school care is available every day.

• Very small intake. With only 12 places in Reception, each cohort is small. That can suit children who like familiarity, but it can feel limiting for those who want a larger peer group.

• Competitive admissions. Recent admissions data shows 39 applications for 12 offers, so entry is the constraint rather than the education on offer.

• Curriculum sequencing improvement point. External review notes that in a small number of subjects, the order of learning is not sequenced well enough yet. Ask what has changed since the last inspection.

• Wraparound clarity. After school care has been communicated via school news, but full wraparound coverage and current sessions should be confirmed directly if you need it for work patterns.

This is a high performing, genuinely small Church of England village primary with academic outcomes that sit well above England averages and a detailed programme of clubs for a school of its size. Best suited to families who value a close knit setting, clear ethos, and strong Key Stage 2 results, and who are comfortable with the realities of competition for very limited Reception places.