The Folkestone School for Girls
Folkestone, CT20 3RB · Kent · Grammar school
Check the area around this school
30th 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 665 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 7.7/10 among them, against 8.6/10 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 | 80.5 · 94 | 30% | 2.84 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.29 · 72 | 25% | 1.80 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 62.3 · 94 | 10% | 0.94 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Folkestone School for Girls overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted (inspected 2024-06). In 2024/25, 67.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 57.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.29 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.9 out of 10 among them, against 8.3 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Young Enterprise, Model United Nations, and the Language Ambassador Scheme. Sports include Combined Cadet Force, climbing, and archery. Arts options cover music lessons, youth theatre, and a radio station. Trips include a JoLT expedition to Vietnam/Cambodia and exchanges to Spain.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,145 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,053. 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 in maintaining the progress seen in the 2023/24
What Ofsted said about The Folkestone School for Girls
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils “stand ’10 feet tall’” due to high self-belief and confidence. Inspectors found that the school provides a “rich set of learning experiences” and that pupils behave exceptionally well, resulting in an overall effectiveness judgement of ‘Good’.
Strengths
- Pupils develop into “articulate and confident young women” through extensive opportunities such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and international collaborations.
- The curriculum is “impressive” and “meticulous” in the sixth form, enabling students to gain places in prestigious universities or apprenticeships.
- Staff provide “sensitive support” for pupils’ mental health and well-being, including specific provision in ‘The Loft’.
- There is a strong emphasis on literacy and oracy, with pupils using “technical vocabulary” to debate with eloquence.
- The school is “tenacious” in promoting good attendance for disadvantaged pupils through effective interventions.
Areas to improve
- The mathematics curriculum is not yet designed to develop “mathematical fluency,” limiting pupils’ understanding of fundamental concepts.
- Governance arrangements do not always effectively check how well the school uses plans to improve the academic curriculum.
- Most trustees are new and lack suitable expertise or training, meaning they are not providing “appropriate challenge” to the school.
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 | 61.8 |
| 2024/25 | 57.9 |
| 2025/26 | 62.3 |
| 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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