John Mayne CofE Primary School
High Street, Ashford, TN27 8AL
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
100
Headteacher
Mrs Helen Tester
Type
Primary
Ofsted
Good
Faith
Church of England
Local authority
Kent
About John Mayne CofE Primary School
John Mayne CofE Primary School is a primary school in Biddenden, near Ashford for children aged 4 to 11, teaching boys and girls. Around 100 pupils are on roll. On our figures that is below the typical size for a primary school in Ashford. It has a Church of England religious character. It is a maintained school within the Kent local authority area. Mrs Helen Tester leads the school.
Inspection at a glance
At its most recent Ofsted inspection on 25 February 2026, John Mayne CofE Primary School was judged Good. The full inspection report is linked from this page so you can read the inspectors' own words.
How the school is performing
Around 15.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals. Figures come from the Department for Education's published school performance data and are shown in full further down this page.
Getting a place at John Mayne CofE Primary School
You apply for a place at John Mayne CofE Primary School on the primary common application form through Kent, with the national deadline of 15 January. Where there are more applications than places, the school's published oversubscription criteria decide who is offered a place, typically starting with looked-after children and siblings. There is no separate entrance assessment. Always check the current admissions policy on the school's own website before you apply, because criteria can change year to year.
SEND at a glance
John Mayne CofE Primary School is a mainstream school, supporting pupils with SEND alongside their classmates through the graduated approach of assess, plan, do, review. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.
Before and after school
For working families the school runs a breakfast club and an after-school club. Session times, costs and availability are set by the school, so confirm them before you rely on a place.
John Mayne CofE Primary School contact details and location
You will find John Mayne CofE Primary School at High Street, Biddenden, Ashford, Kent, TN27 8AL. The school office can be reached on 01580 291424. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.
Ofsted inspection
Overall effectiveness
Ofsted's most recent visit confirmed the overall rating. It did not re-grade the individual areas.
John Mayne CofE Primary School admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
John Mayne CofE Primary School does not run its own entrance test. Places are allocated by Kent County Council using published oversubscription criteria. Oversubscription criteria usually cover looked-after children, siblings, distance from the school, and (for faith schools) faith criteria. As a Church of England school, faith-based criteria may apply in oversubscription - a supplementary information form is usually required.
Official links
Dates and criteria change each year - always confirm with the school and Kent County Council. KCC school admissions →
How to apply
1. Apply on the common application form (autumn term before Reception)
Complete the Primary Common Application Form on the Kent County Council website by mid-January - for September 2026 entry the window ran from Friday 7 November 2025 to Thursday 15 January 2026, and offers were emailed on Thursday 16 April 2026.
2. National Offer Day (mid-April)
You'll be told your allocated school by email - for 2026 entry KCC emailed offers on Thursday 16 April 2026 after 4pm, with offers visible online from 5pm.
3. Accept and, if needed, appeal
Accept your place by the given date. If you didn't get your preferred school, you have the right to appeal.
4. In-year admissions
Moving mid-year? Apply directly through Kent County Council's in-year admissions team, or in some cases direct to the school.
Didn't get a place? You can appeal
If John Mayne CofE Primary School is not offered on National Offer Day, you can appeal the decision. The appeal is heard by an independent panel and is free to submit.
How to appeal a school offerJohn Mayne CofE Primary School results and attendance
KS2 results
Not published
A-Level results
N/A
Attendance
Not published
Free school meals
SEND support at John Mayne CofE Primary School
SEND setting
Mainstream school
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at John Mayne CofE Primary School
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Yes
After-school club
Yes
John Mayne CofE Primary School term dates: Kent standard term dates for 2026/27
These are Kent County Council's standard term dates. Your school may use different dates and INSET days, so check the school's website before making plans.
Autumn 1 · 2026
1 Sep-23 Oct
Autumn 2 · 2026
2 Nov-18 Dec
Spring 1 · 2027
4 Jan-12 Feb
Spring 2 · 2027
22 Feb-25 Mar
Summer 1 · 2027
12 Apr-28 May
Summer 2 · 2027
7 Jun-21 Jul
John Mayne CofE Primary School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at John Mayne CofE Primary School?
Apply through Kent on the primary common application form by 15 January, naming John Mayne CofE Primary School as one of your preferences. Offers are made in April.
What is John Mayne CofE Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated John Mayne CofE Primary School Good at its inspection on 25 February 2026. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
How big is John Mayne CofE Primary School and what ages does it take?
John Mayne CofE Primary School has around 100 pupils on roll and covers ages 4 to 11. It is a mixed school taking boys and girls.
What SEND support does John Mayne CofE Primary School offer?
John Mayne CofE Primary School is recorded as a mainstream school. The school's SEN information report has the current detail and is linked in the SEND section of this page.
Does John Mayne CofE Primary School have a nursery or wraparound care?
John Mayne CofE Primary School offers a breakfast club and an after-school club. Times, costs and availability are set by the school, so check directly before booking.
What are John Mayne CofE Primary School's term dates and INSET days?
John Mayne CofE Primary School follows the standard Kent pattern for 2026/27, set out term by term on this page. INSET days are set by the school itself, so confirm them on the school's own calendar.
Where is John Mayne CofE Primary School and how do I contact the school?
John Mayne CofE Primary School is at High Street, Biddenden, Ashford, Kent, TN27 8AL. The office number is 01580 291424. A map and directions are on this page.
About this information. Compiled from published sources including the Department for Education, Ofsted and the school's own website. Last reviewed Summer 2026.
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Get my profile builtSchools near John Mayne CofE Primary School
The closest schools to TN27 8AL, measured from each school's own location.
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Sissinghurst CofE Primary School
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Dulwich Prep Cranbrook
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