Bishops Down Primary School
Rydal Drive, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9SU
Ofsted report card
Expected standard overall
New Nov 2025 system · 7 areas rated · See below
See the Ofsted ratingsPupils
200
Ages
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
200
Headteacher
Mrs Laura Johnson
Type
Primary
Ofsted
Rated across 7 areas
Local authority
Kent
About Bishops Down Primary School
Bishops Down Primary School is a primary school in Tunbridge Wells for children aged 3 to 11, teaching boys and girls. Around 200 pupils are on roll. It is a maintained school within the Kent local authority area. The headteacher is Mrs Laura Johnson.
Inspection at a glance
Ofsted rated Bishops Down Primary School Requires Improvement at its inspection on 31 March 2026. 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, 67% met expected standard in reading, writing and maths (2024/25). Attendance works out at roughly 95.2% (absence 4.8%) (2024/25). Around 19.6% 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 Bishops Down Primary School
You apply for a place at Bishops Down Primary 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
Bishops Down Primary School is described in the published data as a mainstream school with resourced provision. Named areas of need it supports include Physical disability. Recorded provision: Resourced provision: resourced provision capacity 8; PD - Physical Disability. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.
Before and after school
Bishops Down Primary School offers an on-site nursery, 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.
Bishops Down Primary School contact details and location
Bishops Down Primary School is at Rydal Drive, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 9SU. The school office can be reached on 01892 520114. 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 31/03/2026.
Bishops Down Primary School admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
Bishops Down Primary 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 Bishops Down 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 offerBishops Down Primary School results and attendance
KS2 results
A-Level results
N/A
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at Bishops Down Primary School
SEND setting
Mainstream school with resourced provision
SEND provision
Resourced provision: resourced provision capacity 8; PD - Physical Disability
Specialisms
- Physical disability
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at Bishops Down Primary School
Nursery
Yes
Breakfast club
Yes
After-school club
Yes
Bishops Down Primary 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
Bishops Down Primary School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at Bishops Down Primary School?
Apply through Kent on the primary common application form by 15 January, naming Bishops Down Primary School as one of your preferences. Offers are made in April.
What is Bishops Down Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated Bishops Down Primary School Requires Improvement at its inspection on 31 March 2026. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
What SEND support does Bishops Down Primary School offer?
Bishops Down Primary School is recorded as a mainstream school with resourced provision. Named areas of need include Physical disability. The school's SEN information report has the current detail and is linked in the SEND section of this page.
Does Bishops Down Primary School have a nursery or wraparound care?
Bishops Down Primary School offers a nursery, a breakfast club and an after-school club. Times, costs and availability are set by the school, so check directly before booking.
What are Bishops Down Primary School's term dates and INSET days?
Bishops Down Primary 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 Bishops Down Primary School and how do I contact the school?
Bishops Down Primary School is at Rydal Drive, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 9SU. The office number is 01892 520114. A map and directions are on this page.
How big is Bishops Down Primary School and what ages does it take?
Bishops Down Primary School has around 200 pupils on roll and covers ages 3 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.
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Get my profile builtSchools near Bishops Down Primary School
The closest schools to TN4 9SU, measured from each school's own location.
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St Augustine's Catholic Primary School
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St Barnabas CofE Primary School
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