A primary school has been rated “good” by education inspectors for the first time in its history. https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/primary-school-rated-good-for-first-time-in-its-history-290528/

Is your child due to start school September 2025? Contact us to book your place on one of our Open Days.

Remember our Open Days for Reception intake in September 2025 are coming up next month, if you haven't already please make sure you have booked in one of the dates available and don't forget to spread the word to other parents whose little ones might be starting Reception next year. Thank you

We are pleased to announce that Archbishop Courtenay School in Maidstone are offering wraparound care   

We are looking for an organised, efficient and motivated candidate to join our central team at our Head office in Folkestone from June 2024. This is an entry level position with scope to develop. The successful candidate much demonstrate flexibility, confidentiality and a positive ‘can do’ attitude. A basic understanding of financial concepts, such as debits/credits would be an advantage. We are a small and friendly central team supporting 16 primary aged schools across the Diocese of Canterbury.   Main Duties (for full job description, please go to Kent Teach) Undertake a range of financial procedures, including placing orders, accounts payable, preparation of BACS payments, preparing sales invoices and credit card reconciliations. Enter transactions into cash book including online payments and occasional cash deposits Liaise with school staff re orders for goods and services achieving best value where possible Provide administrative support duties such as answering telephone and directing calls to the correct department. General photocopying, filing and scanning of documents to support both finance and administrative functions of the Trust Some procurement duties – Research alternative goods to obtain quotations & best value purchases across the Trust. Knowledge of audit and compliance and ensuring schools adhere to requirements of Academy Trust Handbook, Trust Finance Policy etc. All applications to be made via Kent-Teach Applications close at 12 noon on 31st May 2024 Interviews w/c 3rd June 2024

St Mary of Charity Primary School "brings maths to life" Ofsted inspectors have praised an outstanding Kent primary school for “bringing maths to life”. Inspectors visited St Mary of Charity Primary School in Faversham last month. Ofsted return to outstanding schools approximately once every four years to check they are keeping up their high standards in what are called ‘ungraded inspections’. In their report, which has just been published, the inspectors said the school had “rightly prioritised the development of an ambitious and well-planned curriculum”.  “Staff are trained and supported well to implement the new curriculum successfully. This is especially evident in mathematics, where teachers bring the subject to life,” they said. The inspectors praised the way teachers break down and explain mathematical concepts to pupils and ensure they develop fluency in the subject. The inspectors were also impressed at how the school had “created a culture where books are shared and enjoyed by all”. They said pupils are “polite, thoughtful and caring to each other”. “Pupils enjoy being at school … expectations are high and classrooms are calm and purposeful places to learn”.  One parent told inspectors that “teachers have been thoughtful about the support they provide and have enabled my child to be a successful and happy member of the school community”. There were three suggestions to further improve the school, which include giving extra support to pupils in the early stages of learning to read. Louise Rowley-Jones, the school’s Headteacher, said: “We are all so proud of our school. It is a safe, lively and purposeful place to work and learn. The staff team work relentlessly to ensure that children have the very best educational opportunities. In the last two years there have been big developments in our curriculum to ensure that children achieve the very best in Reading, Writing and Maths. We welcome the opportunity to showcase the school further at our next graded inspection”. St Mary of Charity is part of Aquila, The Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust. Annie Wiles, Chief Executive Officer of the trust, said the inspectors’ comments were “testament to the enormous dedication and high-quality of the school’s staff and the strong relationship between the school and its local community”.

As part of a week of visits in Holy week, the Archbishop of Canterbury visited Archbishop Courtenay School in Maidstone. It was a huge privilege to host the Archbishop, and for the children to have the opportunity to ask him questions. Watch the video below from KMTV:  

Schools Minister congratulates Dover primary school on exceptional results   The Schools Minister Damian Hinds has praised a Dover primary school for being in the country’s top 1% for reading, writing and maths. Hinds sent a letter of congratulations to Temple Ewell Church of England Primary School in Brookside for its “very high standard of achievement”. Some 94% of pupils at the primary school, which is part of Aquila, The Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust, have reached - or exceeded - expected standards in reading, writing and maths in Year 6. In his letter, Hinds said: “The government wants to ensure that every child has the fluency in reading, writing and mathematics necessary to prepare them for a successful secondary education and beyond, which is why I was delighted to see your results. “Thank you for your work in continuing the drive towards higher academic standards, and congratulations again to you and your staff for your commitment and success.” Angela Matthews, Headteacher of Temple Ewell, said: “We are delighted with these results and pleased that the hard work and dedication of both our wonderful pupils and our caring and committed staff have been recognised in this way. “These results have been achieved through a tireless and unwavering focus on ensuring that each and every child receives an outstanding education, and by providing a rich and varied curriculum that enables pupils to progress and achieve their very best, whilst still retaining a thirst for knowledge and an enjoyment and love of learning.” Annie Wiles, CEO of Aquila, The Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust, said Temple Ewell’s results were further proof that the school supported pupils to “become happy, successful, well-rounded individuals who develop into lifelong learners”.

Aquila December 2023 Newsletter