Local Area
Platt Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is situated in the historic village of St Mary’s Platt (locally referred to as Platt) in the heart of West Kent. The village of St Mary’s Platt was one of a group of hamlets brought together when the parish was created in 1846. Other areas included were Wrotham Heath, Crouch, Basted and Comp.
When the church was built, it was dedicated to St Mary the Virgin. Over time, the full name of the church was shortened to St Mary’s, or St Mary’s, Platt to distinguish it from the many other St Mary’s churches. It is, perhaps, a mark of the central role of the church within the village that the village itself has come to adopt the name of St Mary’s Platt. Although shown as Platt on most maps, the village sign erected by the Council bears the full name ‘St Mary’s Platt’.
St Mary’s Platt is in a semi-rural area surrounded by idyllic Kentish countryside and is located on the North Downs in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Platt’s excellent location means residents enjoy the convenience of having plenty of local amenities and transport routes whilst being close to stunning countryside. There are many footpaths to explore and Platt even has its own Platt Woods which are beautiful in May when the rhododendrons flower. These woods are readily accessed from the school.
At the heart of the community is St Mary’s Church, the church was built in 1845, and is a handsome edifice with which the school has a close working and spiritual relationship. The village is also home to a pub, the Blue Anchor. The pub hosts a regular series of events including quiz nights and live music. Platt is an active village community, with a number of annual events including the Church Fair, fireworks display and Christmas fair and has a very active community, with clubs and societies to suit everyone.
The village has excellent transport connections to London and the rest of the South-East, being close to both the M20 and M26 motorways. Platt is also in close proximity to Borough Green and Wrotham train station, which is on a direct train line to London Victoria, making both villages popular with commuters. The school is just a 5-minute drive from the train station or a 25-minute walk if you are feeling active, so the bright lights of London are never far away. In the opposite direction is Maidstone, then Ashford and Dover - and therefore the trains and ferries to the Continent. The area is also close to the M25, which means that Gatwick and Heathrow airports are readily accessible, as are Thurrock, Stansted and the rest of East Anglia. Of course, this also includes a readily accessible shopping trip to Bluewater and Thurrock shopping centres.
The local area is home to many other interesting tourist attractions including Emmetts Garden, Chartwell, Ightham Mote, Knole Park and the Lullingstone Roman Villa, so there are always plenty of things to do nearby.
Platt is also a short drive to the beautiful and historic market town of Sevenoaks, home to a multitude of restaurants, bars, cafes and shops. The Stag Community Arts Centre in the town has a cinema and theatre which hosts a variety of plays and shows throughout the year.
The town boasts plenty of sports and leisure facilities including a leisure centre, rugby, cricket, football and tennis clubs to name but a few. It is also within a short drive (or you can go by train) to Canterbury, the North Kent coast and Sussex. It is an ideal place in which to work, and to bring up your own family. There is a wealth of excellent secondary schools in the area – selective and non-selective – and West Kent is therefore a highly sought-after location.