Downsview Community Primary School, Swanley

Ofsted's report card from its 2 December 2025 inspection grades Downsview Community Primary School on 7 areas: 4 expected standard and 3 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Early years - Expected standard. "Children in the early years thoroughly enjoy their time in school."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders and staff have high expectations for all pupils, regardless of their background or ability."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders and governors are united in their determination to provide a high quality of education that improves the life chances of all pupils."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school's welcoming, inclusive atmosphere fosters a strong sense of belonging."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Pupils' achievement in national tests, including in mathematics and reading, has been below the national average over time."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Many pupils do not attend school regularly enough."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Pupils do not achieve as well as they should because of variation in teaching across subjects and year groups."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders should ensure that the curriculum is adapted and delivered consistently well across the school, so that all pupils achieve well across all subjects and year groups. • Leaders should maintain a sharp focus on attendance to ensure that pupils' attendance continues to improve and persistent absence reduces further. • Leaders and governors should continue their robust approach to monitoring and quality assurance so that their well-thought-through improvement priorities have a positive impact, particularly on pupils' achievement and attendance".

In its own words: "It is with great pleasure and pride that I welcome you to Downsview Community Primary School. We are a happy school with dedicated teaching and support staff, children who are committed to their learning and supportive and engaged wider school community. We are determined to ensure that all pupils who attend Downsview feel safe, respected, valued and motivated."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, drama, recorder, Lego and French.

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care until 6:00pm.

In 2025, 67% of Year 6 pupils at Downsview Community Primary School 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 77% in reading and 77% 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 Downsview Community Primary School as their first choice and 20 named it as one of their preferences, for 16 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 Downsview Community Primary School are High Firs Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 77% reading, 73% maths); St Bartholomew's Catholic Primary School, Swanley (0.5 miles); Horizon Primary Academy (0.7 miles, Good, 88% reading, 81% maths); and St Mary's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 66% reading, 72% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Downsview Community Primary School.

20 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Downsview Community Primary School (as of April 2026): 65% would recommend the school, 80% say their child is happy there and 33% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (80%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (33%).

45.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest railway station is Swanley Rail Station, about 1130 metres away (roughly a 14-minute walk).

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Rogers Court (opposite), 370 metres away.

In 2024/25, Downsview Community Primary School issued 27 suspensions, 19.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.