Laddingford St Mary's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Maidstone

From the headteacher's welcome: "Hello and welcome to Laddingford St Mary's Church of England Primary School. We are a small, village school with a caring, family atmosphere situated in the beautiful Weald of rural Kent."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include ballet, choir and French.

In 2025, 63% of Year 6 pupils at Laddingford St Mary's Church of England Voluntary Controlled 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 rose from 40% in reading and 40% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 13 families put Laddingford St Mary's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School as their first choice and 28 named it as one of their preferences, for 13 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 Laddingford St Mary's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School are Yalding, St Peter and St Paul Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School (1.7 miles, Good, 76% reading, 60% maths); East Peckham Primary School (1.7 miles, Requires improvement, 86% reading, 76% maths); St Margaret's, Collier Street Church of England Voluntary Controlled School (2 miles, Good, 82% reading, 76% maths); and Hunton Church of England Primary School (2 miles, Good, 88% reading, 69% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Laddingford St Mary's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School.

37.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 3.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 26 pupils (31.3%) received SEN support and 3 (3.6%) 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.

Laddingford St Mary's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School had 7 teachers in 2026, one for every 10 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Beltring Rail Station, about 860 metres away (roughly a 11-minute walk).

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is The Chequers (adjacent), 340 metres away.

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

In 2024/25, Laddingford St Mary's Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School issued 16 suspensions, 19.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.