Herne Bay Junior School
Kings Road, Herne Bay, CT6 5DA
Ofsted inspection
Rated across 4 areas
Inspected 17/06/2025 · Ofsted no longer gives a single grade
See the Ofsted ratingsPupils
391
Ages
7 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Age range
7 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
391
Headteacher
Mrs Melody Wilkinson
Type
Primary
Ofsted
Rated across 4 areas
Local authority
Kent
About Herne Bay Junior School
Based in Herne Bay, Herne Bay Junior School is a primary school for children aged 7 to 11 and takes boys and girls. The school currently has about 391 pupils. It is a maintained school within the Kent local authority area. Mrs Melody Wilkinson leads the school.
Inspection at a glance
Under Ofsted's report card framework, Herne Bay Junior School was graded Good and Requires Improvement across the areas inspected, following the inspection on 17 June 2025. Each area is now graded separately, so there is no single headline judgement. The full inspection report is linked from this page so you can read the inspectors' own words.
How the school is performing
The latest published key stage 2 figures show 34% met expected standard in reading, writing and maths (2024/25). Overall absence stands at 7.2%, which is attendance of about 92.8% (2024/25). Around 45.3% 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 Herne Bay Junior School
You apply for a place at Herne Bay Junior 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
Herne Bay Junior 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.
Herne Bay Junior School contact details and location
You will find Herne Bay Junior School at Kings Road, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 5DA. The school office can be reached on 01227 374608. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted did not give a single overall grade at this inspection (its policy from September 2024).
Quality of Education
How well pupils are taught and what they learn
Behaviour and Attitudes
How pupils behave and their attitude to learning
Personal Development
Support for pupils' wider growth and wellbeing
Leadership and Management
How well the school is run
Based on the Ofsted inspection of 17/06/2025.
Herne Bay Junior School admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
Herne Bay Junior 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 Herne Bay Junior 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 offerHerne Bay Junior School results and attendance
KS2 results
A-Level results
N/A
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at Herne Bay Junior School
SEND setting
Mainstream school
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at Herne Bay Junior School
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Yes
After-school club
Yes
Herne Bay Junior 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
Herne Bay Junior School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at Herne Bay Junior School?
Apply through Kent on the primary common application form by 15 January, naming Herne Bay Junior School as one of your preferences. Offers are made in April.
What is Herne Bay Junior School's Ofsted rating?
Under Ofsted's report card framework Herne Bay Junior School was graded Good and Requires Improvement across the areas inspected, following the inspection on 17 June 2025. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
How big is Herne Bay Junior School and what ages does it take?
Herne Bay Junior School has around 391 pupils on roll and covers ages 7 to 11. It is a mixed school taking boys and girls.
What SEND support does Herne Bay Junior School offer?
Herne Bay Junior 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 Herne Bay Junior School have a nursery or wraparound care?
Herne Bay Junior 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 Herne Bay Junior School's term dates and INSET days?
Herne Bay Junior 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 Herne Bay Junior School and how do I contact the school?
Herne Bay Junior School is at Kings Road, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 5DA. The office number is 01227 374608. 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 Herne Bay Junior School
The closest schools to CT6 5DA, measured from each school's own location.
Herne Bay · Primary · 0.0 miles
Herne Bay Infant School
Herne Bay · Primary · 1.1 miles
Hampton Primary School
Herne · Primary · 1.3 miles
Herne CofE Junior School
Herne Bay · Primary · 1.3 miles
Herne CofE Infant School
Herne Bay · Primary · 1.4 miles
Briary Primary School
Herne Bay · Primary · 2.0 miles
Reculver CofE Primary School
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