Saltwood CofE Primary School, Hythe

Ofsted's report card from its 7 July 2026 inspection grades Saltwood CofE Primary School on 7 areas: 5 strong standard and 2 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. "Leaders have raised the profile of attendance this year."

Early years - Strong standard. "Children make a very solid start in the early years because staff know them well and create a warm, structured and engaging environment."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusion, underpinned by detailed knowledge of individual pupils and their circumstances."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders know their school very well."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "The personal, social and health education and relationships education is well structured, age-appropriate and reinforced through assemblies and wider experiences."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, typically achieve well."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have significantly refined the curriculum to ensure that it is well designed and sequenced."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should strengthen teaching so that pupils consistently deepen their understanding of key concepts and pupils' achievement increases further"; "Leaders should strengthen their work to embed strategies for developing transcription so that pupils' writing skills continue to improve".

In 2025, 83% of Year 6 pupils at Saltwood CofE Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 70% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 73% in Kent and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 88% in reading and 78% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 22 families put Saltwood CofE Primary School as their first choice and 71 named it as one of their preferences, for 26 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 Saltwood CofE Primary School are St Augustine's Catholic Primary School (0.4 miles, 70% reading, 74% maths); Hythe Bay CofE Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 64% reading, 60% maths); Palmarsh Primary School (1.8 miles, Good, 87% reading, 67% maths); and Seabrook Church of England Primary School (1.8 miles, Good, 94% reading, 88% maths).

Saltwood CofE Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

10.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (89%) and Mixed (6%).

In 2026, 13 pupils (6.4%) received SEN support and 1 (0.5%) 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.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Hythe Station (RHDR), about 1140 metres away (roughly a 14-minute walk).

5 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Bartholomew Lane (adjacent), 150 metres away.

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