Goldwyn School, Ashford
Goldwyn School is a special school for pupils aged 10 to 19 in Ashford. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in October 2022.
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2022)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Goldwyn School in detail
Goldwyn School in its own words
In its own words: "Goldwyn School is a truly inspiring place where lives are transformed through an ambitious and carefully designed curriculum. We place equal importance on nurturing social and emotional development and achieving strong academic outcomes, ensuring every student is supported to grow in confidence, resilience, and independence."
From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to Goldwyn School-a place defined by ambition, inclusion, and the belief that every young person can succeed. We combine high expectations with deep care, ensuring that social, emotional, and academic development are given equal priority. Our strength lies in our ability to truly understand our students and shape provision around them."
Vision and values (school website)Headteacher's welcome (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Goldwyn School are The Wyvern School (Buxford) (1.2 miles, Good); The T3 School (2.3 miles, Good); Kings Park School (3.1 miles, selective); and Heath Farm School (4.5 miles).
The Wyvern School (Buxford)The T3 SchoolKings Park SchoolHeath Farm School
Where pupils go next
Of the 47 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 83% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 28% to a further education college and 2% into work.
Who goes there
57.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 0% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.
Almost every pupil at Goldwyn School has an education, health and care plan (197 of 197 in 2026). The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.
Goldwyn School provides for pupils with autism and social, emotional and mental health needs.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Ashford International Rail Station, about 2.4 miles away in a straight line.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Goldwyn School stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 4th decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 13 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson and violence and sexual offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Kent (101).
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Goldwyn School issued 72 suspensions, 35.3 for every 100 pupils, and no permanent exclusions.
Sources: DfE destination measures; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 4 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Sixth Form
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at its October 2022 inspection.
Rated Outstanding for
Quality of education, Behaviour & attitudes, Personal development, Leadership & management, Sixth form.
At a Glance
57.9%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
Autism, SEMH
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 4 nearby schools
Keep up with Goldwyn School
Free school transport
Check free transport to Goldwyn School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Goldwyn School is in Kent; for families living there:
Apply to Kent for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025.
The typical figure for schools in Kent is 11 (the median across 711 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
101%
Over capacity
197 pupils
195 places
2 pupils over capacity
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - Ashford
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Ashford
Across Kent council
Places available
19,539
Applications
18,644
Got 1st preference
78.9%
Got preferred school
96.2%
All secondary applications across Kent council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(6)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
197
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Goldwyn School provides for pupils with autism and social, emotional and mental health needs.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
197
Total Pupils
141
Boys
56
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
46
Teachers
4.3:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£49,968
Mean salary
2026 data
Pupil Absence2024/25
31.0%
Overall absence
61.5%
Persistent absence
182
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Questions parents ask about Goldwyn School
What are GCSE results like at Goldwyn School?
In the 2026 results, pupils at Goldwyn School achieved an Attainment 8 score of 13.1. 4% passed GCSE English and maths at grade 5 or above.
What is Goldwyn School's Ofsted rating?
Goldwyn School was rated Outstanding at its most recent Ofsted inspection in October 2022.
What is the catchment area for Goldwyn School?
No fixed boundary. When Goldwyn School is oversubscribed, Kent allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How many pupils go to Goldwyn School?
Goldwyn School has around 197 pupils on roll. 58% are eligible for free school meals.
Does Goldwyn School have specialist SEN provision?
Goldwyn School provides for pupils with autism and social, emotional and mental health needs.
What is attendance like at Goldwyn School?
31% of sessions were missed at Goldwyn School in 2024/25. 61.5% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Goldwyn School?
Apply through Kent's coordinated admissions process, naming Goldwyn School on your application. The national closing date in England is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.
How many road collisions happen near Goldwyn School?
No injury road collisions were reported to the police within 500 m of the school's mapped location in 2021 to 2025. The typical figure for schools in Kent is 11 (the median across 711 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Goldwyn School?
Goldwyn School is at Godinton Lane, Great Chart, Ashford, Kent, TN23 3BT.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)