About the School

Please read a letter from, Claire, Chair of Governors. 

I serve Jesus with my body, heart, mind and soul.

Serviam means ‘I serve’. Jesus Christ has taught us, it is more blessed to serve than to be served. At St Ethelbert’s school, following our Catholic faith, we serve the whole person – mind, heart, body and soul.

Body – because we care for our wellbeing, our parish neighbourhood and our environment.

Heart – because we teach love and respect for all.

Mind – because we believe in excellent education.

Soul – because we learn to pray and become closer to God as his children.

St Ethelbert’s Catholic Primary school and nursery was built in 1928 and this year is busy celebrating it’s 90th year! St Ethelbert's Catholic Primary School is a Voluntary aided school working within the Diocese of Southwark. We work closely with other Catholic schools and are an associate member of Kent Catholic Schools Partnership. Set in the heart of Ramsgate Kent, St Ethelbert’s is a successful and happy school combining excellence and care. 

The KCC and The Diocese provide dual support to the school and its needs; we have recently had a full dining room and servery refurbishment, as well as all the junior classrooms and library. Outside areas have also recently been developed with Astro Turf and outdoor equipment for both the juniors and the infants. There are further areas to develop including the year 6 annex and further playground development. 

Our current Headteacher has been with the school for 29 years, as a class teacher, deputy head and then these last 12 years as Headteacher. Over the past years the school has grown in reputation, being regarded as a popular, happy and welcoming school, and has achieved in all areas of education and wellbeing. The school had its last Ofsted Inspection in July 2015 and is rated ‘Good’, with ‘Outstanding behaviour and safe guarding’. It also has ‘Good’ and ‘Outstanding’ in its Religious Inspection. Data wise our school is performing very well against both KCC and National averages, our focus is currently on rigorous monitoring of pupils’ progress and to improve our writing standards further. The new Headteacher will inherit the challenge of maintaining high standards within a diverse community in an area of some deprivation, where we consistently maintain significantly higher standards against KCC and the national average. 

The children are beautifully behaved, the parents are very supportive and there are very strong parish links, with our Church being on the school site. There is also Reception Class pet, Buddy the Golden Retriever, he is the schools caring companion, always listening to joys and sorrows without complaint. 

He helps them count, he plays in class with them and occasionally clears up any dropped food! He looks after the children who are sad. He hears the children read their books. He teaches all the children to respect and love God’s Kingdom. He teaches children who are afraid of dogs to love safe dogs and how to dispose of animal waste sensibly and safely. He is a happy face and waggy tail to greet the staff every morning. They also share him with the Nursery and junior pupils. In return ‘Buddy’ is given lots of treats from the children and staff. He gets cuddles on demand and is never short of pupils queuing to walk him. 

The school is, quite simply, a delightful place in which to work and learn.

The staff and pupils would like a kind headteacher who will get fully involved in every aspect of the school life. We strongly recommend a tour of the school for you to be able to feel the ethos and community strength of the school.

For further information please view the following most recent reports:

OFSTED Inspection Report
Section 48 Inspection Report