Towers School and Sixth Form Centre
Ashford, TN24 9AL · Kent · secondary school
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61st 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 — 3.4/10 against 799 of them, against 3.0/10 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 | 37.7 · 32 | 46% | 1.46 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.29 · 28 | 38% | 1.08 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 42.4 · 31 | 15% | 0.48 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Towers School and Sixth Form Centre overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 29.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 40.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.29 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than nationally similar peers. 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 (2.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.2 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
The school offers an RSC club, the Towers By HeART arts programme, and a Year 13 business trip to London.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,538 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,625. 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 current attainment and the national median? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores?
What Ofsted said about Towers School and Sixth Form Centre
Overview
Towers School and Sixth Form Centre is described as a "friendly school" where pupils feel safe, happy, and proud to attend. The report highlights strong community spirit, effective behaviour management, and high-quality teaching that helps most pupils achieve well in national examinations. However, leadership and management require improvement, particularly regarding the monitoring of alternative provision and attendance.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from a "broad and balanced" curriculum where teachers use strong subject knowledge to explain concepts clearly, helping pupils "remember learning long-term."
- Behaviour is managed very well, with "disruption" being rare; the on-site ‘Rashford Centre’ has successfully reduced suspensions by helping pupils take responsibility for their behaviour.
- Personal development is a priority, with pupils engaging in "rich, purposeful debates" about citizenship and accessing a wide range of enrichment opportunities, including a "very well-developed ‘Performing Arts’ curriculum."
- Sixth-form students receive targeted academic mentoring and learn important study skills, contributing to their success in assessments.
Areas to improve
- The school must urgently review how it monitors part-time timetables and alternative provision, as some pupils do not receive swift support and are at risk of further disengagement.
- Staff need access to more accurate, up-to-date information about pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to ensure they receive precise learning adjustments.
- Teachers must challenge pupils more effectively to develop independent thinking and problem-solving skills, ensuring staff consistently apply training to remove support and foster automaticity.
- The school should strengthen partnerships with families and professionals to overcome barriers to regular attendance, as too many pupils are persistently absent.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 40.2 |
| 2024/25 | 40.6 |
| 2025/26 | 42.4 |
| 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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