Canterbury primaries

[LongArmOfTheLore]

Looking to move to the Canterbury area, to one of the surrounding villages, not in the city centre. Currently pretty open on location, but would prefer not too far from the city (max 15 minute drive)
We’ve looked online/ofsted and all the local primaries seem pretty good, but we’re too far away to visit before we narrow down our search area. Would appreciate thoughts to get a better feel from what school websites don’t tell you, including how inclusive/diverse the local schools are.

I am not sure if by inclusive you mean a mix of well off/ less well off or different cultural background ESL families. If the latter I have heard Blean primary is good a lot of university families send their children there from different cultural backgrounds, but it is a very middle class school, I heard it got a bit uncomfortable around Kent test time.
I have heard Littlebourne primary has a good reputation also. Haven't heard anything bad about the canterbury primaries, the above ones are just those friends have experience of.
Secondary is more of an issue due to the Kent test system. For secondary moderns Canterbury academy streams and has a good reputation- I did a freedom of information request but the council still couldn't tell me last distance offered information for it due to the CAT testing and banding - but I would say its worth living close to the school within a couple of miles- but last distance offered likely to go out several miles for children who are banded very high. St anselms is also an excellent school which streams and which gives priority to children associated with any major faith. The kent test feels very hit and miss when you get closer to the time, so its important to have a good fall back option, if only for when your DC asks "what if I don't pass?".

Bridge was always THE school that everyone wanted to get into when we live in the area.

Thank you for the feedback. Good point about secondary schools. South of Canterbury looks a bit better for catchment area for those?
St Thomas and St Stephen’s look like they’d be out for us as they seem to be in the city, and St Stephen’s looks huge.
There are houses in both Bridge and Blean we’re interested in. Also Stelling Minis (?) and Chilham.

Yes so if you go for one of villages which is very close like Bridge or Blean you would be in a better position for secondary moderns. Village primary schools do tend to have a good reputation round here.