Turner Free School
Folkestone, CT19 4PB · Kent · secondary school
Check the area around this school
65th 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 2.6/10 against 416 of them, against 1.5/10 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 | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 29.7 · 15 | 30% | 0.45 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.55 · 14 | 25% | 0.34 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 39.4 · 17 | 10% | 0.17 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Turner Free School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 24.6% 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 -0.55 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (2.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Getting in
The published school roll is 997 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,260. 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 steps are taken to improve Progress 8 scores for students from similar backgrounds? How does the school ensure the Duke of Edinburgh Award is accessible to all year groups?
What Ofsted said about Turner Free School
Overview
Turner Free School is described as a “well-managed, calm and orderly” environment where pupils feel safe and are treated with respect. Leaders have established high expectations that pupils consistently meet, resulting in strong behaviour and positive attitudes towards learning. The school provides a broad curriculum with effective support for most students, including those with special educational needs.
Strengths
- Pupils enjoy a respectful community where bullying is “not tolerated” and they actively participate in initiatives like ‘family dining’ and the school council.
- Teachers use “expert knowledge” to explain subject matter clearly and set demanding work that develops reading and oracy skills.
- Leaders have made reading a priority, ensuring the “weakest readers are supported effectively” by well-informed staff.
- Staff feel “valued and well supported” through extensive training and a focus on well-being and workload management.
- Trustees and governors are “skilled, knowledgeable and extremely well-informed,” holding leaders to account very effectively.
Areas to improve
- The curriculum in design and technology and computing is “not as well thought through,” leading to gaps in pupils’ knowledge.
- The physical education curriculum is “not adapted well enough” to meet the needs of some pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders creating a “strong safeguarding culture” and ensuring staff are knowledgeable and vigilant in identifying concerns.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 35.4 |
| 2024/25 | 37.6 |
| 2025/26 | 39.4 |
| 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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