Elms School
Elms Vale Road, Dover, CT17 9PS
Age range
5 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
138
Headteacher
Mr John Dexter
Type
Specialist
Ofsted
Good
Local authority
Kent
About Elms School
Elms School is a mixed special school based in Dover for children aged 5 to 16. It has roughly 138 pupils on roll. It is a maintained school within the Kent local authority area. Mr John Dexter leads the school.
Inspection at a glance
At its most recent Ofsted inspection on 14 March 2023, Elms 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
Overall absence stands at 22.5%, which is attendance of about 77.5% (2024/25). Around 79.4% 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 Elms School
Elms School is a special school, so places are arranged through the education, health and care plan process rather than the normal application round. Kent names the school in a child's EHCP after consulting it. 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
Elms School is a specialist SEND setting, so every pupil on roll has identified additional needs. Named areas of need it supports include Autism, Social, emotional and mental health, Moderate learning difficulties. Recorded provision: Specialist school: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder; SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health; MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.
Elms School contact details and location
You will find Elms School at Elms Vale Road, Dover, Kent, CT17 9PS. The school office can be reached on 01304 201964. 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.
Elms School admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
Elms 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.
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 Elms 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 offerElms School results and attendance
KS2 results
A-Level results
N/A
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at Elms School
SEND setting
Specialist school
SEND provision
Specialist school: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder; SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health; MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Specialisms
- Autism
- Social
- emotional and mental health
- Moderate learning difficulties
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at Elms School
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
Elms 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
Elms School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at Elms School?
Places at Elms School are arranged through the education, health and care plan (EHCP) process. Ask your SEN casework team at Kent to consult the school as part of your child's plan.
What is Elms School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated Elms School Good at its inspection on 14 March 2023. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
How big is Elms School and what ages does it take?
Elms School has around 138 pupils on roll and covers ages 5 to 16. It is a mixed school taking boys and girls.
What SEND support does Elms School offer?
Elms School is recorded as a specialist school. Named areas of need include Autism, Social, emotional and mental health, Moderate learning difficulties. The school's SEN information report has the current detail and is linked in the SEND section of this page.
What are Elms School's term dates and INSET days?
Elms 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 Elms School and how do I contact the school?
Elms School is at Elms Vale Road, Dover, Kent, CT17 9PS. The office number is 01304 201964. 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 Elms School
The closest schools to CT17 9PS, measured from each school's own location.
Temple Ewell · Independent · 1.7 miles
The Sallygate School
Dover · Specialist · 4.6 miles
Portal House School
Folkestone · Specialist · 5.1 miles
The Beacon Folkestone
Folkestone · Independent · 5.3 miles
Ferndearle
Deal · Specialist · 6.0 miles
Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary
Deal · Specialist · 6.3 miles
Ripplevale School
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