Aylesford School
Aylesford, ME20 7JU · Kent · secondary school
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94th of 99 secondary schools in Kent we can score, 103 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.1/10 against 893 of them, against 0.5/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 21.0 · 4 | 46% | 0.19 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.84 · 5 | 38% | 0.19 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 37.2 · 10 | 15% | 0.15 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Aylesford School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 20.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 37.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.84 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (0.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.6 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in trips including a Year 7 visit to Howletts, a Year 9 trip to Nausicaá, work experience, a residential Duke of Edinburgh expedition, a residential trip to Orlando, Florida, Year 11 AQA Geography fieldwork in Whitstable, an ASC Girls Alpaca Experience Trek, and a Year 11 Hospitality & Catering visit to the Langham Hotel & Borough Market.
Getting in
The published school roll is 916 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,044. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their Attainment 8 score and the national median? What specific support is available for students
What Ofsted said about Aylesford School
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils feel happy and safe, benefiting from a strong focus on character development and high attendance. However, recent improvements to the curriculum are not yet fully embedded, meaning some pupils do not learn as well as they should. Leadership and governance require sharper evaluation of the school’s progress to ensure consistent teaching quality.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate "courage, confidence and resilience" and behave well in a "calm and orderly" environment.
- The school deals with bullying "robustly and fairly," with most pupils having confidence in the support provided.
- Attendance is "consistently above the national average" due to dedicated staff working closely with families.
- Personal development is a strength, with a comprehensive PSHE curriculum and strong careers guidance.
- Sixth-form students benefit from expert staff who help them "remember crucial elements of the curriculum."
Areas to improve
- The school must support staff to implement the ambitious curriculum effectively, as current variability means pupils do not always build knowledge as well as they should.
- Teachers must consistently diagnose gaps and misconceptions in pupils’ understanding, as checks are not always precise enough to address issues swiftly.
- The trust and governors need to sharpen their understanding of the school’s strengths and weaknesses, ensuring they evaluate the impact of improvements more precisely.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 35.3 |
| 2024/25 | 37.6 |
| 2025/26 | 37.2 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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