Charing Church of England Primary School, Ashford

Ofsted's report card from its 10 February 2026 inspection grades Charing Church of England Primary School on 7 areas: 6 strong standard and 1 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Strong standard. "Pupils progress through the curriculum confidently."

Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Leaders know the school very well."

Early years - Strong standard. "Leaders ensure that children have a very successful start to their education."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "The school has systematic processes to identify the emerging needs of pupils swiftly."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders have an almost palpable sense of ambition for every pupil."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "The school's work on personal development is highly effective."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Attendance is not yet at national averages."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "While attendance is improving, leaders should ensure that they maintain their work to communicate the importance of attendance to all stakeholders and provide high-quality support so that attendance continues to improve for all pupils"; "Leaders should ensure that they continue to embed and refine the wider curriculum to deepen pupils' understanding further of the subjects they learn".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Nestled in the picturesque village of Charing, near Ashford, our school is a thriving and rapidly growing community. Currently, we have over 165 children enrolled across seven classes from Reception to Year 6, and we are proud to serve this vibrant and expanding population."

In 2025, 93% of Year 6 pupils at Charing Church of England Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 93% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 73% in Kent and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 83% in reading and 88% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 11 families put Charing Church of England Primary School as their first choice and 38 named it as one of their preferences, for 15 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Charing Church of England Primary School are Pluckley Church of England Primary School (3 miles, Good, 94% reading, 88% maths); Egerton Church of England Primary School (3.1 miles, Good, 64% reading, 73% maths); Challock Primary School (3.6 miles, Outstanding, 77% reading, 77% maths); and Lenham Primary School (3.9 miles, Good, 70% reading, 60% maths).

Charing Church of England Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

Charing Church of England Primary School is one of 18 schools run by The Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 60% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

36 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Charing Church of England Primary School (as of April 2026): 100% would recommend the school and 100% say their child is happy there.

The strongest agreement was that they are kept well informed about progress (100%); the weakest, that their child is happy at the school (100%).

38.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (71%) and Mixed (5%).

In 2026, 59 pupils (29.6%) received SEN support and 7 (3.5%) 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 autism.

Charing Church of England Primary School had 11 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Charing (Kent) Rail Station, about 400 metres away (roughly a 5-minute walk).

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Primary School (opposite), 60 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 12 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Kent (101).

In 2024/25, Charing Church of England Primary School issued 3 suspensions, 1.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.