Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery, Sittingbourne
Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery is a primary school for pupils aged 2 to 11 in Sittingbourne. It has a Church of England religious character. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in April 2015. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in March 2025 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 20th-highest of the 24 schools in Sittingbourne with published results, and 11,866th of 14,452 across England. It was full in 2025, at 101% of capacity.
- SATs results
- Below England average
- Ofsted
- Good (2015)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 80 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Kent (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery in detail
Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery in its own words
From the headteacher's welcome: "I am so extremely proud to be headteacher of such a fantastic school community in which we learn, play and have fun together in harmony and mutual respect. Our desire is to work in partnership with parents/carers and the wider community to ensure the success of our children."
Headteacher's welcome (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 67% of Year 6 pupils at Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery reached the expected standard in reading and 63% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 73% in Kent and 77% and 75% across England.
Results fell from 82% in reading and 71% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery
For September 2026 entry, 22 families put Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery as their first choice and 89 named it as one of their preferences, for 30 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery are Lansdowne Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 75% reading, 85% maths); Canterbury Road Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 80% reading, 87% maths); Sunny Bank Primary School (0.9 miles, Good, 75% reading, 75% maths); and South Avenue Primary School (1 mile, Good, 71% reading, 78% maths).
Each of them had higher 2025 results than Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery.
Lansdowne Primary SchoolCanterbury Road Primary SchoolSunny Bank Primary SchoolSouth Avenue Primary School
What parents say
49 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery (as of September 2025): 69% would recommend the school, 86% say their child is happy there and 43% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that their child is happy at the school (86%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (43%).
Who goes there
15.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 4.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (86%), Mixed (6%) and Black (5%).
In 2026, 19 pupils (7.5%) received SEN support and 11 (4.4%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.
Staffing
Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery had 14 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Sittingbourne Rail Station, about 1.5 miles away in a straight line.
5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Spring Acres (adjacent), 180 metres away.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery issued 1 suspension, 0.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery are The Sittingbourne School (0.4 miles), Highsted Grammar School (1.3 miles), Fulston Manor School (1.3 miles) and Borden Grammar School (1.4 miles).
The Sittingbourne SchoolHighsted Grammar SchoolFulston Manor SchoolBorden Grammar School
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; Ofsted Parent View; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; DfE school workforce census; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoThis judgement is from April 2015, 11 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: Standards have been maintained.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's March 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
This is a warm, inclusive school where children are valued and cared for. Teachers use engaging activities to help pupils achieve well, and there is a strong focus on developing children's character, confidence and emotional understanding. The school adapts teaching well for pupils who need extra support, ensuring everyone can learn successfully.
Key Strengths
- Pupils are confident, fluent readers who enjoy reading, with strong phonics teaching in early years
- Teachers carefully check what pupils know and use meaningful questions to help them explore new vocabulary and concepts
- Pupils with SEND are identified well and receive helpful adaptations and interventions
- High expectations for behaviour result in positive conduct and improving attendance
- Wide range of engaging activities and responsibilities help develop pupils' confidence and resilience
Areas for Improvement
- The reading curriculum does not support all pupils to build their reading skills progressively, so some struggle to apply skills when exploring texts in depth
- Pupils are not always confident using key vocabulary linked to British values because the personal development programme does not emphasise this enough
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective with a strong culture where pupils' interests are put first and they feel safe and cared for.
Extracurricular Activities
Anti-bullying ambassadors, play activity leaders, buddy system, breakfast and after-school clubs
Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery is a welcoming and caring school where pupils thrive and achieve well across a broad range of subjects. The school has maintained the standards identified at its previous inspection with an engaging curriculum and strong culture built around its values.
At a Glance
15.5%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
49 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 82% to 67% (2024 to 2025). Maths has declined from 71% to 63% (2024 to 2025). Writing has declined from 82% to 77% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
28.5
Avg class size
29.0
Infant (KS1)
30.5
KS2
4
Total classes
1 class with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Latest from Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery
From Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Keep up with Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
You apply to the council where you live. Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery is in Kent; for families living there:
Apply to Kent for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 11
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 0
- Children hurt
- 1
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 11 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 0 serious and 11 slight.
1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on foot.
4 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Kent is 11 (the median across 711 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery
Will you get a place at Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery? Get the admissions report
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What the report includes for Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery:
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- Applications, first choices and offers at Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Kent got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
101%
Over capacity
211 pupils
210 places
1 pupil over capacity in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Sittingbourne
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Sittingbourne
Across Kent council
Places available
18,893
Applications
16,593
Got 1st preference
89.7%
Got preferred school
98.2%
All primary applications across Kent council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(9)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
19
SEN Support
11
EHC Plans
11.9%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
252
Total Pupils
132
Boys
120
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
14
Teachers
18.0:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£44,703
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£5,081
Per pupil
£1184k
Total funding
£47k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
4.6%
Overall absence
9.7%
Persistent absence
185
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery
Questions parents ask about Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery
What are SATs results like at Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery?
Of the pupils at Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 67% reached the expected standard in reading and 63% did so in maths.
What is Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery's Ofsted rating?
Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery's most recent Ofsted inspection, in March 2025, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in April 2015, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery?
No fixed boundary. When Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery is oversubscribed, Kent allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery?
Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery was full in 2025, at 100% of its capacity, so places are allocated on the oversubscription criteria.
How big are the classes at Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery?
Classes at Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery average 28.5 pupils (2025/26). 1 class has more than 30 pupils - infant classes are capped at 30 by law, with limited exceptions.
How many pupils go to Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery?
Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery has around 252 pupils on roll. 16% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery?
4.6% of sessions were missed at Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery in 2024/25. 9.7% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery?
Apply through Kent's coordinated admissions process, naming Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
How many road collisions happen near Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 11 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 0 serious and 11 slight. 1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on foot. 4 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Kent is 11 (the median across 711 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery?
Bapchild and Tonge Church of England Primary School and Nursery is at School Lane, Bapchild, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 9NL.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)