St Barnabas CofE VA Primary School
Voluntary aided primary school in Tunbridge Wells (Kent).
Location
iSchool location from Get Information about Schools. Nearby schools are coloured by phase. Open Map+ for a full-screen map with neighbourhood deprivation (England only).About
Each child is uniquely created and loved by God. St Barnabas Primary School, Tunbridge Wells, is a Voluntary Aided Church School, with our ethos and values reflected in a strong Christian tradition. Following the example of St Barnabas and his role in encouraging others (Acts 4:36), we ensure that: Each child is uniquely created and loved by God.
As a smaller school, we have the privilege of knowing every child really well, from our youngest to the oldest pupil. We greatly value all members of our school community and place our partnership and relationships with families, community and church at the heart of our community.
Fr John Caster, our Parish Priest, leads weekly worship and regular school Mass services in St Barnabas Church, as well as contributing to the teaching and learning of RE. Enormous thanks to trinitytheatretw for hosting our children once again for the Into Film Festival The children had a fabulous time and the adults did too!
Thanks also to intofilm_edu the charity for film in education.
In the school’s own words, from the school website.
Enrichment
4 activitiesiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Computing
- Music
- Young Enterprise
- Forest School
Awards
1 awardiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Eco SchoolsEnvironment
Key facts
- URN
- 118724
- Type
- Voluntary aided school
- Phase
- Primary
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Sixth form
- Does not have a sixth form
- Nursery
- No Nursery Classes
- Local authority
- Kent
- Constituency
- Tunbridge Wells
- Setting
- Urban: Further from a major town or city
Governing body (8 current, 1 former)
Maintained school governing body.
Leadership
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Father John Caster | Chair of Governors | Ex-officio foundation governor (appointed by foundation by virtue of the office they hold) | since 2018 · until 2028 |
Full governing body
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ms Georgina Burkinshaw | Governor | Elected by school staff | since 2024 · until 2029 |
| Mrs Lisa Beaty | Governor | Parent appointed by GB/board due to no election candidates | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Mrs Charlotte Hunter | Governor | Foundation/sponsor members | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Mrs Sarah Barter | Governor | Nominated by other body and appointed by GB | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Mr Peter Bithell | Governor | Persons who are appointed by the foundation body or sponsor (if applicable) | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Jolene Williams-Chen | Governor | Elected by parents | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Mrs Moira Duncombe | Governor | Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal | since 2014 · until 2029 |
| Mr Ben Johnson Former | Governor | Foundation/sponsor members | since 2022 · term ended 2026 |
Source: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools (governance records, as at 25 October 2026). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Names are shown as published; there are no addresses or contact details. Current and former are worked out from term end dates when the page loads. Object or ask for removal · Report an issue with this record