Herne CofE Infant School
Palmer Close, Herne Bay, CT6 7AH
Ofsted report card
Expected standard overall
New Nov 2025 system · 7 areas rated · See below
See the Ofsted ratingsPupils
308
Ages
3 to 7
Gender
Mixed
Age range
3 to 7
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
308
Headteacher
Mrs E Thomas-Friend
Type
Primary
Ofsted
Rated across 7 areas
Faith
Church of England
Local authority
Kent
About Herne CofE Infant School
Herne CofE Infant School is a primary school in Herne, near Herne Bay for children aged 3 to 7, teaching boys and girls. Around 308 pupils are on roll. The school has a Church of England character. It is a maintained school within the Kent local authority area. The headteacher is Mrs E Thomas-Friend.
Inspection at a glance
Ofsted rated Herne CofE Infant School Outstanding at its inspection on 6 May 2026. The full inspection report is linked from this page so you can read the inspectors' own words.
How the school is performing
Attendance works out at roughly 94.5% (absence 5.5%) (2024/25). Around 14.1% 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 CofE Infant School
You apply for a place at Herne CofE Infant School on the primary common application form through Kent, with the national deadline of 15 January. If the school is oversubscribed, places are allocated on its published admissions criteria, which usually give priority to looked-after children, siblings and distance from home to school. 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 CofE Infant 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
Herne CofE Infant School offers an on-site nursery 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 CofE Infant School contact details and location
Herne CofE Infant School is at Palmer Close, Herne, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 7AH. The school office can be reached on 01227 740793. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.
Ofsted inspection
Leadership & Governance
How well the school is led and overseen
Curriculum & Teaching
What pupils are taught and how well
Achievement
How well pupils do in their learning
Attendance & Behaviour
How pupils behave and how often they attend
Personal Development & Wellbeing
Support for pupils' wider growth and wellbeing
Inclusion
How well the school supports every pupil, including those with extra needs
Early Years
Quality of nursery and Reception
Based on the Ofsted inspection of 06/05/2026.
Herne CofE Infant School admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
Herne CofE Infant 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 Herne CofE Infant 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 CofE Infant School results and attendance
KS2 results
N/A
A-Level results
N/A
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at Herne CofE Infant School
SEND setting
Mainstream school
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at Herne CofE Infant School
Nursery
Yes
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Yes
Herne CofE Infant 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 CofE Infant School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at Herne CofE Infant School?
Apply through Kent on the primary common application form by 15 January, naming Herne CofE Infant School as one of your preferences. Offers are made in April.
What is Herne CofE Infant School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated Herne CofE Infant School Outstanding at its inspection on 6 May 2026. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
What SEND support does Herne CofE Infant School offer?
Herne CofE Infant 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 CofE Infant School have a nursery or wraparound care?
Herne CofE Infant School offers a nursery and an after-school club. Times, costs and availability are set by the school, so check directly before booking.
What are Herne CofE Infant School's term dates and INSET days?
Herne CofE Infant 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 CofE Infant School and how do I contact the school?
Herne CofE Infant School is at Palmer Close, Herne, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 7AH. The office number is 01227 740793. A map and directions are on this page.
How big is Herne CofE Infant School and what ages does it take?
Herne CofE Infant School has around 308 pupils on roll and covers ages 3 to 7. It is a mixed school taking boys and girls.
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 CofE Infant School
The closest schools to CT6 7AH, measured from each school's own location.
Herne · Primary · 0.1 miles
Herne CofE Junior School
Herne Bay · Primary · 1.3 miles
Herne Bay Infant School
Herne Bay · Primary · 1.3 miles
Herne Bay Junior School
Canterbury · Primary · 1.5 miles
Hoath Primary School
Herne Bay · Primary · 1.7 miles
Briary Primary School
Herne Bay · Primary · 1.8 miles
Hampton Primary School
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