Thistle Hill Academy

Based in Minster-on-Sea, near Sheerness, Thistle Hill Academy is a primary school for children aged 4 to 11 and takes boys and girls. The school currently has about 332 pupils. It is an academy, so its governing trust sets its own admission arrangements within the national code, and Kent coordinates offers. The headteacher is Ms Rebecca Handebeaux.

Inspection at a glance

Under Ofsted's report card framework, Thistle Hill Academy was graded Good and Outstanding across the areas inspected, following the inspection on 5 November 2024. 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, 49% met expected standard in reading, writing and maths (2024/25). Attendance works out at roughly 93.0% (absence 7.0%) (2024/25). Around 49.9% 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 Thistle Hill Academy

You apply for a place at Thistle Hill Academy 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

Thistle Hill Academy is described in the published data as a mainstream school with resourced provision. Named areas of need it supports include Autism. Recorded provision: Resourced provision: resourced provision capacity 14; ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.

Thistle Hill Academy contact details and location

Thistle Hill Academy is at Aspen Drive, Minster-on-Sea, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 3UD. The school office can be reached on 01795 899119. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.