Hollingbourne Primary School, Maidstone

Ofsted's report card from its 7 July 2026 inspection grades Hollingbourne 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.

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders have developed a highly effective personal development programme that makes a very secure contribution to pupils' wider development."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils achieve well from their different starting points."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Pupils attend school regularly."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have established an ambitious curriculum that identifies the important knowledge pupils need to learn."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children receive a positive start to their education."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders identify pupils' needs accurately and respond appropriately when barriers to learning or wellbeing arise."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have created an inclusive culture in which pupils are known well as individuals."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that foundational knowledge and skills, including early reading, vocabulary, handwriting and mathematics, are taught consistently well so that all pupils build secure knowledge for future learning"; "Leaders should strengthen the consistency of curriculum implementation, including agreed approaches to teaching, feedback and lesson design, so that all pupils experience consistently effective teaching across the school".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Hollingbourne is a small, delightful, friendly, village school nestled in the North Downs. It boasts 100 lovely children aged 4 to 11 years. We have a committed and enthusiastic staff who are determined to enable every child to reach their potential, providing them with a stable, caring environment in which they and are stimulated and keen to learn."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, basketball and choir.

In 2025, 60% of Year 6 pupils at Hollingbourne Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 60% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 73% in Kent and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 94% in reading and 75% 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 Hollingbourne Primary School as their first choice and 38 named it as one of their preferences, for 12 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 Hollingbourne Primary School are Leeds and Broomfield Church of England Primary School (1.3 miles, Good, 36% reading, 21% maths); Harrietsham Church of England Primary School (1.8 miles, Good, 68% reading, 50% maths); Kingswood Primary School (2.5 miles, Good, 68% reading, 63% maths); and Thurnham Church of England Infant School (2.9 miles, Good).

Hollingbourne Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 3 schools.

1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (80%) and Mixed (9%).

Hollingbourne Primary School had 8 teachers in 2026, one for every 13 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Hollingbourne Rail Station, about 610 metres away (roughly a 8-minute walk).

3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Troys Mead (opposite), 100 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 11 crimes within a mile of the school, most often other theft, vehicle crime and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Kent (101).

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