The Discovery School
Discovery Drive, Kings Hill, West Malling, ME19 4GJ
Pupils
635
Ages
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
635
Headteacher
Miss Tina Gobell
Type
Primary
Ofsted
Outstanding
Local authority
Kent
About The Discovery School
The Discovery School is a primary school in Kings Hill, near West Malling for children aged 4 to 11, teaching boys and girls. Around 635 pupils are on roll. That makes it one of the larger primary schools in West Malling on our figures. It is a maintained school within the Kent local authority area. Miss Tina Gobell leads the school.
Inspection at a glance
At its most recent Ofsted inspection on 21 February 2023, The Discovery School was judged Outstanding. 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 80% met expected standard in reading, writing and maths (2024/25). Overall absence stands at 5.4%, which is attendance of about 94.6% (2024/25). Around 8.2% 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 The Discovery School
You apply for a place at The Discovery 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
The Discovery 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.
The Discovery School contact details and location
You will find The Discovery School at Discovery Drive, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4GJ. The school office can be reached on 01732 847000. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.
Ofsted inspection
Overall effectiveness
Last inspection: 21/02/2023
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
The Discovery School admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
The Discovery 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 The Discovery 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 offerThe Discovery School results and attendance
KS2 results
A-Level results
N/A
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at The Discovery School
SEND setting
Mainstream school
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at The Discovery School
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Yes
After-school club
Yes
The Discovery School term dates: The Discovery School term dates
Autumn 1
1 Sep to 23 Oct
Autumn 2
Autumn term 2: 2 Nov to 18 Dec
Spring 1
Spring term 1: 4 Jan to 12 Feb
Spring 2
Spring term 2: 22 Feb to 25 Mar
Summer 1
Summer term 1: 12 Apr to 28 May
Summer 2
Summer term 2: 7 Jun to 21 Jul
INSET days (school closed to pupils)
Staff training days confirmed by The Discovery School.
- 1 September 2026
- 2 September 2026
- 27 November 2026
The Discovery School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at The Discovery School?
Apply through Kent on the primary common application form by 15 January, naming The Discovery School as one of your preferences. Offers are made in April.
What is The Discovery School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated The Discovery School Outstanding at its inspection on 21 February 2023. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
How big is The Discovery School and what ages does it take?
The Discovery School has around 635 pupils on roll and covers ages 4 to 11. It is a mixed school taking boys and girls.
What SEND support does The Discovery School offer?
The Discovery 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 The Discovery School's term dates and INSET days?
The Discovery 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 The Discovery School and how do I contact the school?
The Discovery School is at Discovery Drive, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4GJ. The office number is 01732 847000. 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 Autumn 2026.
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Get my profile builtSchools near The Discovery School
The closest schools to ME19 4GJ, measured from each school's own location.
West Malling · Primary · 0.8 miles
Kings Hill Primary School
West Malling · Primary · 0.9 miles
Valley Invicta Primary School at Kings Hill
Maidstone · Primary · 1.5 miles
Wateringbury CofE Primary School
West Malling · Primary · 1.6 miles
More Park Catholic Primary School
East Malling · Primary · 1.6 miles
St James the Great Academy
West Malling · Primary · 1.7 miles
West Malling CofE Primary School
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Tell us what needs updating on The Discovery School and we'll review it before the page changes.Last updated Autumn 2026.