Greatstone Primary School, New Romney

Ofsted's report card from its 9 September 2026 inspection grades Greatstone Primary School on 7 areas: 1 expected standard and 6 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. "A well-planned curriculum is in place to support children in Nursery and Reception."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Over time, pupils have not achieved sufficiently well, with most outcomes sitting below national averages in end of key stage assessments."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Around the school, pupils' behaviour is typically settled."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Leaders have an accurate understanding of the quality of teaching."

Inclusion - Needs attention. "Leaders identify pupils' needs and have an understanding of the barriers to learning that pupils face."

Leadership and governance - Needs attention. "New leaders recognise the work that is needed to improve the school, and drive forward a more rapid pace of improvement."

Personal development and wellbeing - Needs attention. "Leaders have an accurate understanding of the strengths of the school's personal development offer and the areas that need further development."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders, including governors, need to enact their plans to drive forward school improvements, ensuring they carefully evaluate their work against measurable milestones so as to check that their actions are having the impact they intend and so that they can refine their approaches where needed"; "Leaders should ensure that staff's use of assessment is consistently precise and effective so that any misconceptions in pupils' understanding or work can be identified and remedied rapidly to support pupils to achieve well"; "Leaders need to ensure that, in teaching, staff design activities that are more sharply linked to their intended learning so that the work they undertake consistently moves forward pupils' understanding and their development of knowledge and skills"; "Leaders need to embed a systematic approach to inclusion, ensuring that staff adapt the curriculum to support pupils' needs more effectively and that the impact of these approaches is measured and refined appropriately to ensure the best outcomes for pupils"; "Leaders need to develop their work to support pupils in attending more fully, identifying the specific barriers to positive attendance and supporting pupils and families to overcome them"; "Leaders need to implement their plans to support pupils' personal, social, health, economic and relationships education systematically, and monitor the impact this has on what pupils know and remember over time".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make. At Greatstone Primary School, we are proud to offer a nurturing, ambitious and inclusive environment where every child is known, valued and encouraged to flourish."

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.

In 2025, 62% of Year 6 pupils at Greatstone Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 49% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 73% in Kent and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 54% in reading and 41% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 24 families put Greatstone Primary School as their first choice and 49 named it as one of their preferences, for 24 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Greatstone Primary School are St Nicholas Church of England Primary Academy (1.8 miles, Good, 78% reading, 73% maths); Lydd Primary School (2.5 miles, Good, 59% reading, 74% maths); Dymchurch Primary School (4.7 miles, Requires improvement, 66% reading, 69% maths); and Brenzett Church of England Primary School (5.3 miles, Good, 64% reading, 64% maths).

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

3.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 28 pupils (13%) received SEN support and 4 (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 speech, language and communication needs.

Greatstone Primary School 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.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Romney Sands Station (RHDR), about 660 metres away (roughly a 8-minute walk).

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Baldwin Road (adjacent), 380 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 9 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, other crime and anti-social behaviour. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Kent (101).

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