St Matthew's High Brooms Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Tunbridge Wells

In its own words: "We welcome all local children to attend our school, and our aim is simple - for each individual to achieve as highly as they possibly can in both their learning and their personal development. We are a voluntary controlled, Church of England Primary School maintaining very close links with the Parish Church of St Matthew’s."

From the headteacher's welcome: "I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to St Matthew’s High Brooms Church of England Primary School - a vibrant and inclusive two form entry school situated in Tunbridge Wells."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, running, dance, choir, orchestra, chess, Lego and cooking.

Coming up: an open day on Monday 16 November 2026 and an open day on Tuesday 17 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 71% of Year 6 pupils at St Matthew's High Brooms 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 fell from 76% in reading and 78% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 19 families put St Matthew's High Brooms Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School as their first choice and 54 named it as one of their preferences, for 22 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 St Matthew's High Brooms Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School are St John's Church of England Primary School (0.3 miles, Good, 86% reading, 82% maths); St Augustine's Catholic Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 67% reading, 74% maths); Southborough CofE Primary School (0.8 miles, Good, 87% reading, 82% maths); and Skinners' Temple Grove (0.9 miles, Good, 55% reading, 48% maths).

St Matthew's High Brooms Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

53.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 44 pupils (15%) received SEN support and 6 (2%) 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.

St Matthew's High Brooms Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School had 22 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 railway station is High Brooms Rail Station, about 620 metres away (roughly a 8-minute walk).

10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Veterinary Surgery (adjacent), 140 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 173 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Kent (101), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, St Matthew's High Brooms Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School issued 10 suspensions, 3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to St Matthew's High Brooms Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School are Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys (0.5 miles), St Gregory's Catholic School (0.5 miles), Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School (0.8 miles) and The Skinners' School (0.8 miles).