St Simon Stock Catholic School
Maidstone, ME16 0JP · Kent · secondary school
Check the area around this school
60th 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.
Narrow the comparison to the 882 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.7/10 among 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 18 | 35% | 0.63 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 31.3 · 17 | 30% | 0.52 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.21 · 65 | 25% | 1.63 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 42.0 · 29 | 10% | 0.29 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Simon Stock Catholic School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 46.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 46.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.21 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.5 out of 10 among them, against 6.0 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted inspected the school in January 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in a Model United Nations Conference and a Public Speaking Competition. Trips include visits to Herstmonceux Science Centre, Cambridge University, Maidstone Magistrates Court, Woods at Penshurst Place, Bruges, Rome, London, and Paris.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,148 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,140. 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 curriculum support pupils in achieving the national median for Attainment 8? What specific support is available for students preparing
What Ofsted said about St Simon Stock Catholic School
Overview
St Simon Stock Catholic School provides an inclusive education where pupils feel safe, supported, and proud of their community. The report highlights a "close-knit community" with strong pastoral care, noting that staff take time to know pupils as individuals and model high behavioural expectations. While most aspects of school life meet the expected standard, the report identifies specific areas for refinement in teaching consistency and attendance strategies.
Strengths
- Inclusion is described as a "thread that runs through every aspect of school life," with well-trained staff adapting the curriculum for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
- Disadvantaged pupils achieve well, with progress and attainment in external examinations "above national averages for disadvantaged pupils."
- Pupils display "respectful and accepting attitudes to diversity" and benefit from a well-planned personal, social, health and economic education curriculum.
- Staff feel valued within a supportive culture, described as doing things "the Stocky way," with leaders actively listening to feedback regarding workload.
- Sixth form students value the community and act as role models, contributing to charity and environmental projects.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should improve checks on learning in lessons so teachers can address gaps in knowledge before moving on, particularly in the sixth form.
- Leaders must maintain focus on improving attendance, specifically embedding strategies to ensure disadvantaged pupils attend more regularly.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an open culture where concerns are actively identified and managed, ensuring pupils feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 47.9 |
| 2024/25 | 46.6 |
| 2025/26 | 42.0 |
| 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 application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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