Folkestone Academy, Folkestone

Ofsted's report card from its 19 May 2026 inspection grades Folkestone Academy on 7 areas: 1 strong standard, 5 expected standard and 1 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders have fostered a welcoming and inclusive ethos in the school."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "In recent years, pupils' overall attendance has been below the national average."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Pupils learn a broad and ambitious curriculum."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "School and trust leaders have a clear ambition to provide a high-quality, inclusive education for all pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have developed an effective personal development and wellbeing programme."

Post 16 provision - Expected standard. "Leaders have a clear and accurate understanding of the quality of the school's post-16 provision."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Pupils' achievement in examinations at the end of key stage 4 is below the national average over time."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue their work to ensure that highly effective teaching is fully and securely embedded across all subjects and year groups, so that pupils achieve consistently well at the end of key stage 4"; "Leaders should continue to embed the culture of high expectations with regard to pupils' attitudes to learning so they consistently show self-discipline and dedication to their learning".

In its own words: "Folkestone A cademy, part of the Turner Schools multi academy trust, is committed to improve the educational and social outcomes for the young people it serves. We have an unflinching focus on improving outcomes for the pupils we serve."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include drama and choir.

In 2026, pupils at Folkestone Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 38, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 48.1 in Kent and 47 across England.

26% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 49% in Kent and 47% in England.

That is up from 33.7 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -1.11: pupils made well below average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 32.3, against 43.6 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 11.3 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 22 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 98 families put Folkestone Academy as their first choice and 379 named it as one of their preferences, for 144 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Folkestone Academy are The Harvey Grammar School (0.6 miles, Outstanding, selective, Attainment 8 65.2); Turner Free School (0.8 miles, Good, Attainment 8 39.4); The Folkestone School for Girls (1.3 miles, Good, selective, Attainment 8 62.3); and Brockhill Park Performing Arts College (4.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 36.1).

Folkestone Academy's 2026 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Folkestone Academy is one of 8 schools run by Turner Schools, an academy trust.

Of the 184 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 75% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 48% to a further education college, 3% to an apprenticeship and 5% into work.

Of the 73 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 48% went on to university or other higher education, 4% to apprenticeships and 29% into work. 1% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

52.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 160 pupils (17.1%) received SEN support and 27 (2.9%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

Folkestone Academy has a resourced provision for autism: 30 places, 10 pupils on roll.

Folkestone Academy had 72 teachers in 2026, one for every 13 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical secondary school, at about one for every 17.

The nearest railway station is Folkestone Central Rail Station, about 1080 metres away (roughly a 14-minute walk).

16 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Folkestone Academy (adjacent), 60 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 321 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Kent (101), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Folkestone Academy issued 120 suspensions, 13.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Folkestone Academy are Folkestone Primary (under 0.1 miles); Stella Maris Catholic Primary School (0.4 miles); Mundella Primary School (0.6 miles); and Christ Church Cep Academy, Folkestone (0.8 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.