Eastling Primary School, Faversham

Ofsted's report card from its 13 January 2026 inspection grades Eastling Primary School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard and 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Pupils enjoy the range of opportunities provided by the school."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils achieve well."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "The school has developed a broad curriculum that builds in logical order towards ambitious goals."

Early years - Expected standard. "Highly effective partnerships with parents and carers support the successful transition of children into the Reception class."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "The school has careful transition arrangements in place for pupils."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders work closely with governors to create a positive, professional culture, where expectations are high for all."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Pupils' views are valued."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Staff should consistently check for understanding during lessons and ensure that the work pupils are given enables them to progress securely through the curriculum from their starting points. • Leaders should ensure that they have the information that they need in order to accurately and promptly identify the priorities and related strategies that will have the most impact on pupils".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to Eastling Primary School. We are a rural primary school (4-11) situated in the beautiful village of Eastling, just outside Faversham. It is set in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the slope of the North Downs. The school is central to the village and serves the wider communities of Newnham, Doddington, Stalisfield, Painters Forstal and Lenham."

Coming up: an open day on Wednesday 4 November 2026 at 9.30am and an open day on Thursday 5 November 2026 at 9.30am. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 82% of Year 6 pupils at Eastling Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 65% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 73% in Kent and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 77% in reading and 62% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 12 families put Eastling Primary School as their first choice and 24 named it as one of their preferences, for 13 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 Eastling Primary School are Sheldwich Primary School (2.9 miles, Outstanding, 91% reading, 91% maths); Lynsted and Norton Primary School (3.2 miles, Requires improvement, 100% reading, 89% maths); Ospringe Church of England Primary School (3.5 miles, Good, 81% reading, 81% maths); and Ethelbert Road Primary School (4 miles, Outstanding, 83% reading, 79% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Eastling Primary School.

39 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Eastling Primary School (as of April 2026): 97% would recommend the school, 95% say their child is happy there and 67% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (97%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (67%).

5.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (74%) and Mixed (12%).

In 2026, 7 pupils (6.7%) received SEN support and 2 (1.9%) 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.

Eastling Primary School had 9 teachers in 2026, one for every 12 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Faversham Rail Station, about 4.2 miles away in a straight line.

3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Primary School (outside), 20 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 3 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour and other theft. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Kent (101).

Eastling Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.