Platts Heath Primary School, Maidstone

Ofsted's report card from its 1 July 2026 inspection grades Platts Heath 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.

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have created a coherent and well-planned programme of personal development."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Across the school, the inconsistency in the implementation of the curriculum means that some pupils have gaps in their foundational knowledge of writing, spelling, punctuation and mathematics."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Pupils' attendance remains low and persistent absence high."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Leaders have designed a well-planned and ambitious curriculum."

Early years - Needs attention. "Leaders have a secure understanding of the early years provision."

Inclusion - Needs attention. "Leaders are ambitious for all pupils."

Leadership and governance - Needs attention. "Leaders are determined to act in the best interest of pupils."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that the well-planned curriculum is taught consistently well in all subjects and year groups so that pupils secure the essential knowledge and skills they need for their next steps"; "Leaders should ensure that teachers accurately identify and address errors in pupils' work, particularly in writing, so that gaps in understanding do not persist"; "Leaders should ensure that staff in the early years consistently engage in high-quality interactions which help children to secure intended knowledge across the curriculum"; "Leaders should ensure that the additional support that staff provide for pupils in lessons consistently and precisely helps pupils overcome the specific barriers to learning that they face"; "Leaders should ensure that their work consistently and successfully improves pupils' attendance and reduces rates of persistent absence"; "Governors should strengthen their ability to hold leaders more stringently to account, ensuring that their challenge supports rapid improvement where it is most needed".

In 2025, 56% of Year 6 pupils at Platts Heath Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 67% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 73% in Kent and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (64% in reading, 64% in maths).

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

For September 2026 entry, 2 families put Platts Heath Primary School as their first choice and 15 named it as one of their preferences, for 2 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 Platts Heath Primary School are Lenham Primary School (1.5 miles, Good, 70% reading, 60% maths); Harrietsham Church of England Primary School (1.7 miles, Good, 68% reading, 50% maths); Ulcombe Church of England Primary School (2.1 miles, Good, 31% reading, 23% maths); and Kingswood Primary School (2.3 miles, Good, 68% reading, 63% maths).

Platts Heath Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

57.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 9.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (71%) and Mixed (15%).

In 2026, 14 pupils (23%) received SEN support and 3 (4.9%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

Platts Heath Primary School had 10 teachers in 2026, one for every 6 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Lenham Rail Station, about 1.2 miles away in a straight line.

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

In August 2026, police recorded 3 crimes within a mile of the school, most often criminal damage and arson and violence and sexual offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Kent (101).

In 2024/25, Platts Heath Primary School issued 14 suspensions, 25 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.