Harcourt Primary School, Folkestone

Ofsted's report card from its 24 February 2026 inspection grades Harcourt Primary School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard and 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Inclusion is at the forefront of the school's work."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Generally, pupils achieve broadly in line with national outcomes, including those who are disadvantaged."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Pupils' enjoyment of school is reflected in their regular attendance."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "The school's carefully designed curriculum is ambitious, broad and balanced."

Early years - Expected standard. "The early years curriculum is well structured and includes all areas of learning."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders work together effectively to oversee the school's work."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school's personal, social and health education programme provides suitable coverage of a wide range of topics and themes, including relationships, sex and health education."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue work to ensure that teachers consistently make highly effective and well-informed choices about how to deliver the content of the reading and mathematics curriculum in order to raise standards further in these areas"; "Leaders should maintain their focus on ensuring consistently strong standards across all areas of the school's work".

In its own words: "Harcourt is a slightly smaller than average one form entry primary school in the district of Cheriton in Folkestone. The school is situated directly below the iconic 'White Horse' that is positioned on Cheriton Hill."

From the headteacher's welcome: "It is with great pleasure that I introduce myself as the Headteacher of Harcourt Primary School. I am incredibly proud to be the leader of our wonderful school. Harcourt Primary is set in beautiful grounds which is surrounded by extensive playing fields, a pond and its own forest school area."

In 2025, 62% of Year 6 pupils at Harcourt Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 65% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 73% in Kent and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 76% in reading and 68% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 15 families put Harcourt Primary School as their first choice and 40 named it as one of their preferences, for 16 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 primary schools to Harcourt Primary School are All Soul's Church of England Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 73% reading, 68% maths); Morehall Primary School and Nursery (0.6 miles, Good, 85% reading, 80% maths); Cheriton Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 90% reading, 83% maths); and Folkestone, St Martin's Church of England Primary School (0.9 miles, Outstanding, 87% reading, 77% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Harcourt Primary School.

44 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Harcourt Primary School (as of April 2026): 100% would recommend the school, 96% say their child is happy there and 80% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (100%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (80%).

Harcourt Primary School had 14 teachers in 2026, one for every 13 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Folkestone West Rail Station, about 0.8 miles away in a straight line.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Woodfield Close (adjacent), 250 metres away.

Harcourt Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to Harcourt Primary School are Turner Free School (0.4 miles), The Harvey Grammar School (0.9 miles), Folkestone Academy (1.2 miles) and The Folkestone School for Girls (1.3 miles).