Cliffe Woods Primary School
View Road, Rochester, ME3 8UJ
Ofsted inspection
Rated across 5 areas
Inspected 01/04/2025 · Ofsted no longer gives a single grade
See the Ofsted ratingsPupils
422
Ages
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
422
Headteacher
Mr James Bernard
Type
Primary
Ofsted
Rated across 5 areas
Local authority
Medway
Academy
Yes
About Cliffe Woods Primary School
Based in Cliffe Woods, near Rochester, Cliffe Woods Primary School is a primary school for children aged 4 to 11 and takes boys and girls. The school currently has about 422 pupils. On our figures that is above the typical size for a primary school in Rochester. It is an academy, so its governing trust sets its own admission arrangements within the national code, and Medway coordinates offers. The headteacher is Mr James Bernard.
Inspection at a glance
Under Ofsted's report card framework, Cliffe Woods Primary School was graded Good and Outstanding across the areas inspected, following the inspection on 1 April 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
At key stage 2, 53% met expected standard in reading, writing and maths (2024/25). Attendance works out at roughly 95.9% (absence 4.1%) (2024/25). Around 5.9% 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 Cliffe Woods Primary School
You apply for a place at Cliffe Woods Primary School on the primary common application form through Medway, 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
Cliffe Woods 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.
Cliffe Woods Primary School contact details and location
Cliffe Woods Primary School is at View Road, Cliffe Woods, Rochester, Kent, ME3 8UJ. The school office can be reached on 01634 220822. 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
Early Years
Quality of nursery and Reception
Based on the Ofsted inspection of 01/04/2025.
Cliffe Woods Primary School admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
Cliffe Woods Primary School does not run its own entrance test. As an academy, its governing trust is the admissions authority and sets the arrangements within the national Admissions Code, while Medway Council coordinates applications and offers. Oversubscription criteria usually cover looked-after children, siblings, distance from the school, and (for faith schools) faith criteria.
Dates and criteria change each year - always confirm with the school and Medway Council. Medway school admissions →
How to apply
1. Apply on the common application form (autumn term before Reception)
Complete the Primary Common Application Form on the Medway 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? In-year applications for an academy are usually made direct to the school - check its website for the in-year form, or contact Medway Council if you need help finding a place.
Didn't get a place? You can appeal
If Cliffe Woods 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 offerCliffe Woods Primary School results and attendance
KS2 results
A-Level results
N/A
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at Cliffe Woods Primary School
SEND setting
Mainstream school
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at Cliffe Woods Primary School
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
Cliffe Woods Primary School term dates: Medway standard term dates for 2026/27
These are Medway 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
Cliffe Woods Primary School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at Cliffe Woods Primary School?
Apply through Medway on the primary common application form by 15 January, naming Cliffe Woods Primary School as one of your preferences. Offers are made in April.
What is Cliffe Woods Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Under Ofsted's report card framework Cliffe Woods Primary School was graded Good and Outstanding across the areas inspected, following the inspection on 1 April 2025. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
What SEND support does Cliffe Woods Primary School offer?
Cliffe Woods 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.
What are Cliffe Woods Primary School's term dates and INSET days?
Cliffe Woods Primary School follows the standard Medway 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 Cliffe Woods Primary School and how do I contact the school?
Cliffe Woods Primary School is at View Road, Cliffe Woods, Rochester, Kent, ME3 8UJ. The office number is 01634 220822. A map and directions are on this page.
How big is Cliffe Woods Primary School and what ages does it take?
Cliffe Woods Primary School has around 422 pupils on roll and covers ages 4 to 11. 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.
Report an update →Do you run a business for families in Rochester?
Local businesses, tutors, clubs and nurseries can have a full profile page here, in front of the parents already reading about Rochester schools.
Get my profile builtSchools near Cliffe Woods Primary School
The closest schools to ME3 8UJ, measured from each school's own location.
Rochester · Primary · 1.5 miles
Chattenden Primary School
Rochester · Primary · 1.6 miles
St Helen's CofE Primary School
Rochester · Primary · 1.9 miles
Wainscott Primary School
Rochester · Primary · 2.0 miles
Higham Primary School
Rochester · Primary · 2.0 miles
Temple Mill Primary School
Rochester · Primary · 2.1 miles
Hilltop Primary Academy
Help us keep this page accurate
Spotted something wrong?
Tell us what needs updating on Cliffe Woods Primary School and we'll review it before the page changes.