Swalecliffe Community Primary School
Bridgefield Road, Whitstable, CT5 2PH
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
500
Headteacher
Mr Ben Cooper
Type
Primary
Ofsted
Good
Local authority
Kent
About Swalecliffe Community Primary School
Swalecliffe Community Primary School is a primary school in Swalecliffe, near Whitstable for children aged 4 to 11, teaching boys and girls. Around 500 pupils are on roll. That makes it one of the larger primary schools in Whitstable on our figures. It is a maintained school within the Kent local authority area. Mr Ben Cooper leads the school.
Inspection at a glance
At its most recent Ofsted inspection on 14 September 2023, Swalecliffe Community Primary School was judged Good. 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 52% met expected standard in reading, writing and maths (2024/25). Overall absence stands at 5.8%, which is attendance of about 94.2% (2024/25). Around 17.1% 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 Swalecliffe Community Primary School
You apply for a place at Swalecliffe Community Primary 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
Swalecliffe Community 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.
Swalecliffe Community Primary School contact details and location
You will find Swalecliffe Community Primary School at Bridgefield Road, Swalecliffe, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 2PH. The school office can be reached on 01227 272101. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.
Ofsted inspection
Overall effectiveness
Ofsted's most recent visit confirmed the overall rating. It did not re-grade the individual areas.
Swalecliffe Community Primary School admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
Swalecliffe Community 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 Swalecliffe Community 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 offerSwalecliffe Community Primary School results and attendance
KS2 results
A-Level results
N/A
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at Swalecliffe Community Primary School
SEND setting
Mainstream school
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at Swalecliffe Community Primary School
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
Swalecliffe Community 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
Swalecliffe Community Primary School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at Swalecliffe Community Primary School?
Apply through Kent on the primary common application form by 15 January, naming Swalecliffe Community Primary School as one of your preferences. Offers are made in April.
What is Swalecliffe Community Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated Swalecliffe Community Primary School Good at its inspection on 14 September 2023. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
How big is Swalecliffe Community Primary School and what ages does it take?
Swalecliffe Community Primary School has around 500 pupils on roll and covers ages 4 to 11. It is a mixed school taking boys and girls.
What SEND support does Swalecliffe Community Primary School offer?
Swalecliffe Community 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 Swalecliffe Community Primary School's term dates and INSET days?
Swalecliffe Community 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 Swalecliffe Community Primary School and how do I contact the school?
Swalecliffe Community Primary School is at Bridgefield Road, Swalecliffe, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 2PH. The office number is 01227 272101. 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 Summer 2026.
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Get my profile builtSchools near Swalecliffe Community Primary School
The closest schools to CT5 2PH, measured from each school's own location.
Whitstable · Primary · 0.9 miles
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Westmeads Community Infant School
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Whitstable and Seasalter CofE Junior School
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Whitstable Junior School
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St Alphege CofE Infant School
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Briary Primary School
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