Staplehurst School has closed (Monday 31 August 2026).
It became an academy, which has a new school record. The school at this address is now Staplehurst School.
Staplehurst School, Tonbridge
Staplehurst School is a primary school for pupils aged 4 to 11 in Tonbridge. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in January 2022. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 22nd-highest of the 22 schools in Tonbridge with published results, and 13,886th of 14,452 across England. It was 70% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- Below England average
- Ofsted
- Good (2022)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- Below England average
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 80 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Kent (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 8 Oct 2026
Staplehurst School in detail
Staplehurst School in its own words
The school runs a breakfast club from 7:30am and after-school care until 5:30pm.
Coming up: an open day on Wednesday 4 November 2026 and an open evening on Monday 9 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.
Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 52% of Year 6 pupils at Staplehurst School reached the expected standard in reading and 48% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 73% in Kent and 77% and 75% across England.
Results fell from 58% in reading and 60% in maths in 2024.
Getting a place at Staplehurst School
For September 2026 entry, 54 families put Staplehurst School as their first choice and 84 named it as one of their preferences, for 65 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Staplehurst School are Staplehurst School (under 0.1 miles); Frittenden Church of England Primary School (2.4 miles, Requires improvement, 80% reading, 93% maths); Leigh Academy Marden (2.8 miles, Good, 93% reading, 79% maths); and Headcorn Primary School (3.1 miles, Requires improvement, 76% reading, 65% maths).
Each of them had higher 2025 results than Staplehurst School.
Staplehurst SchoolFrittenden Church of England Primary SchoolLeigh Academy MardenHeadcorn Primary School
Who goes there
4.5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
In 2026, 47 pupils (11.8%) received SEN support and 11 (2.8%) 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.
Staffing
Staplehurst School had 25 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Staplehurst Rail Station, about 1060 metres away (roughly a 13-minute walk).
4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Monument (opposite), 280 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 39 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and vehicle crime. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Kent (101).
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Staplehurst School issued 17 suspensions, 4.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; DfE school workforce census; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Location
Every family who put it first was offered a place for 2026 entry, so distance did not limit places that year.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 5 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Good at its January 2022 inspection - up from Requires Improvement.
Rated Good for
Quality of education, Behaviour & attitudes, Personal development, Leadership & management, Early years.
At a Glance
22.4%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 58% to 52% (2024 to 2025). Maths has declined from 60% to 48% (2024 to 2025). Writing has declined from 65% to 60% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
24.6
Avg class size
23.8
Infant (KS1)
25.1
KS2
14
Total classes
1 class with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Social & online
Keep up with Staplehurst School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Staplehurst School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Staplehurst School is in Kent; for families living there:
Apply to Kent for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Staplehurst School
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
70%
Available places
369 pupils
525 places
156 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Tonbridge
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Tonbridge
Across Kent council
Places available
18,893
Applications
16,593
Got 1st preference
89.7%
Got preferred school
98.2%
All primary applications across Kent council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(10)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
47
SEN Support
11
EHC Plans
14.6%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
398
Total Pupils
196
Boys
202
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
25
Teachers
15.9:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£47,917
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£5,021
Per pupil
£2185k
Total funding
£130k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
6.8%
Overall absence
20.0%
Persistent absence
340
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about Staplehurst School
What are SATs results like at Staplehurst School?
Of the pupils at Staplehurst School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 52% reached the expected standard in reading and 48% did so in maths.
What is Staplehurst School's Ofsted rating?
Staplehurst School was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection in January 2022. At its previous graded inspection in 2018 it was rated Requires Improvement.
What is the catchment area for Staplehurst School?
No fixed boundary. When Staplehurst School is oversubscribed, Kent allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Staplehurst School?
Staplehurst School was not full in 2025: it ran at 70% of its 525 places.
How big are the classes at Staplehurst School?
Classes at Staplehurst School average 24.6 pupils (2025/26). 1 class has more than 30 pupils - infant classes are capped at 30 by law, with limited exceptions.
How many pupils go to Staplehurst School?
Staplehurst School has around 398 pupils on roll. 22% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Staplehurst School?
6.8% of sessions were missed at Staplehurst School in 2024/25. 20% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Staplehurst School?
Apply through Kent's coordinated admissions process, naming Staplehurst School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
Where is Staplehurst School?
Staplehurst School is at Gybbon Rise, Staplehurst, Tonbridge, Kent, TN12 0LZ.