Folkestone St. Mary's Church of England Primary Academy
Folkestone, CT19 6QH · Kent · primary school
Check the area around this school
377th of 425 primary schools in Kent we can score, 460 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 4.5/10 against 2,289 of them, against 3.8/10 nationally. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 59.0 · 37 | 40% | 1.47 |
| Ofsted | 6 | 35% | 0.21 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 5.0 · 40 | 25% | 1.00 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Folkestone St. Mary's Church of England Primary Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 59.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the figure was 5.0% against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.8 out of 10 against all schools). An inspection took place in November 2025 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 406 pupils against a stated capacity of 420. 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 who are below the national median in literacy and numeracy? What specific steps are taken to help children reach the higher standard in maths? How does the new inspection framework affect current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about Folkestone St. Mary's Church of England Primary Academy
Overview
The inspection found that the school is fulfilling the "expected standard" in early years, inclusion, leadership, and personal development. However, achievement, attendance, and curriculum delivery were judged to "need attention," with leaders actively working to address these areas. The report highlights a "happy and harmonious community" where pupils feel a strong sense of belonging, though inconsistencies in teaching quality and knowledge retention remain.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from a "nurturing and inclusive culture" with "warm and nurturing" relationships and high expectations for behaviour.
- The school provides "thoughtful pastoral care" and effective support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
- Personal development is enriched by a "wide extracurricular offer" and meaningful projects promoting global awareness and citizenship.
- Leaders and governors "place pupils at the heart of every decision," modelling compassion and ensuring staff morale is positive.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must strengthen the attendance strategy to raise rates, particularly for disadvantaged pupils, as too many miss school regularly.
- Teachers must use assessment information effectively to deepen learning, as pupils currently struggle to recall key knowledge across subjects.
- All early years staff need the expertise to secure high-quality interactions that consistently develop children’s vocabulary and communication skills.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 40% |
| 2023/24 | 56% |
| 2024/25 | 59% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 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
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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