Inspections
As a maintained school and a Church of England School, we are subject to two regular inspections from external providers.
The external inspections provide a useful independent and impartial check on how our school is doing.
Ofsted inspections
Ofsted inspect all schools under Section 5 of the Education Act 2005. Through the inspections, Ofsted seek to provide an independent, external evaluation of schools whilst also identifying what needs to improve in order for provision to be good or better.
Ofsted last visited our school in June 2025.
Our school was rated Good across all areas.
‘Pupils are safe and happy in this friendly school. The school forms trusting relationships with parents and carers. Staff know their pupils and are sensitive to their individual needs. They show great care for pupils’ well-being.’
‘Pupils behave well. They form very positive relationships with one another and with adults. They enjoy spending time with one another when at play. Playtimes are busy and active times for pupils. Pupils know the school rules and see these as fair. Pupils are confident that staff are there to help them to resolve any conflict.’
‘The school provides a curriculum that matches the needs and interests of the pupils well. The school has set out clear curricular goals and the steps of learning towards these in each subject. The curriculum helps teachers to know what to teach in mixed-age classes. Leaders help to manage teachers’ workload.’
Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS)
SIAMS (Section 48) judges the distinctiveness and effectiveness of the school as a Church of England school and aims to help schools improve as church schools.
School governors have a statutory duty to uphold the religious character of the school and to ensure that this element is inspected.
SIAMS inspections are administered by Canterbury Diocese and carried out by nationally accredited and trained inspectors.
Our last SIAMS inspection was in November 2024.
“Ulcombe is a very small school with a very big heart. Senior leaders are passionate about ensuring that pupils, families and staff at Ulcombe flourish. Nurturing support for the whole school community is exceptional.”