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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Needs attentionURN 145420

Folkestone Academy

Academy sponsor led · Folkestone · CT19 5FP

Ages 11–19 · 936 pupils · Kent

School website

Ofsted

Needs attention

Attainment 8

31.0

Overall absence

13.9%

Admissions demand

0.69 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Needs attention

Inspection date

2026-05-19

  • AchievementNeeds attention
  • Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
  • InclusionStrong standard
  • Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
  • Leadership and governanceExpected standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-1.11
−20+2
Attainment 831.0
English & maths grade 5+14%
English & maths grade 4+32%
EBacc entry11%

EBacc APS: 2.5

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence13.9%
Persistent absence (10%+)42.8%
Unauthorised7.3%
Authorised absence
6.6%
Severe absence (50%+)
8.0%
Enrolments in measure
1,007

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.69 · Often has places

1st preferences

106

Places offered

198

1st-preference offers

106

Total preferences (any rank)
376
Preferred offers (top 3)
156
Applications from outside LA
1
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill54%

936 pupils · 1,720 places

Pupils on roll
936
Boys / girls
482 / 454
School capacity
1,720
Capacity fill
936 / 1,720 (54%)
Free school meals
54.9%
FSM pupils
477
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy sponsor led

Age range

Ages 11–19

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Governance
Academy trust: TURNER SCHOOLS
Academy trust
TURNER SCHOOLS
Sponsor
Turner Schools
Headteacher
Mr Matthew Tate

Location

Address
Academy Lane
Postcode
CT19 5FP
Town
Folkestone
County
Kent
Local authority
Kent
District
Folkestone and Hythe
Constituency
Folkestone and Hythe
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

SEN & specialist provision

As recorded in GIAS — provision detail, not an Ofsted judgement.

SEN types
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Resourced provision
Resourced provision
Resourced places
10 on roll / 30 capacity

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy sponsor led (secondary), Ages 11–19, in Folkestone, Kent, 936 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 54.9%. SEN provision includes: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Open schools in Folkestone
29
Secondary schools in Folkestone
4
Academies among open schools in Folkestone
45% (13)
Open schools in CT19
16
Secondary in CT19
3
Open schools in Kent LA
713
Secondary in Kent LA
100

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in FolkestoneNear CT19

  • The Harvey Grammar School

    Ofsted: School remains Outstanding

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Folkestone · CT19 5JY · Kent

    Ages 11–18

    • Att862.9
    • P80.2
    • EM5+86%
    • Absence5.1%

    0.6 miles away

  • Turner Free School

    Ofsted: Good

    Free schools · Secondary

    Folkestone · CT19 4PB · Kent

    Ages 11–18

    • Att835.4
    • P8-0.6
    • EM5+17%
    • Absence9.9%

    0.8 miles away

  • The Folkestone School for Girls

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Folkestone · CT20 3RB · Kent

    Ages 11–18

    • Att861.8
    • P80.3
    • EM5+81%
    • Absence8.6%

    1.3 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Matthew Tate
Telephone
01303842400
Website
www.folkestoneacademy.com

Official links