Sandgate Primary School, Folkestone

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

Achievement - Strong standard. "Pupils achieve consistently well over time in national assessments in all areas, including reading, writing, mathematics, multiplication tables and phonics."

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders have created a welcoming environment that encourages pupils to enjoy coming to school."

Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Leaders have designed a high-quality curriculum."

Early years - Strong standard. "Leaders across the school are knowledgeable about early years education."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders demonstrate a commitment to inclusion."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders demonstrate a clear understanding of the school's strengths and any areas for development."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders have designed a coherent personal, social and health education programme."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders and governors should sustain the effectiveness of their work and continue to refine and embed their identified priorities for improvement, overcoming barriers and challenges, in order to drive a transformational impact for all pupils".

In its own words: "As a team, we aim to design and facilitate learning experiences which are enjoyable and memorable. Our pupils play a dynamic role in their learning, offering ideas and responding to challenges set with great enthusiasm. They show notable levels of independence, curiosity, imagination and concentration."

In 2025, 80% of Year 6 pupils at Sandgate Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 90% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 73% in Kent and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 97% in reading and 98% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 63 families put Sandgate Primary School as their first choice and 144 named it as one of their preferences, for 60 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 8 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Sandgate Primary School are Morehall Primary School and Nursery (0.6 miles, Good, 85% reading, 80% maths); All Soul's Church of England Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 73% reading, 68% maths); Cheriton Primary School (1 mile, Good, 90% reading, 83% maths); and Stella Maris Catholic Primary School (1 mile, Good, 79% reading, 68% maths).

Sandgate Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

132 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Sandgate Primary School (as of April 2026): 87% would recommend the school, 86% say their child is happy there and 71% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (88%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (71%).

10.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (81%) and Mixed (12%).

In 2026, 48 pupils (11.5%) received SEN support and 8 (1.9%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.

The nearest railway station is Folkestone West Rail Station, about 550 metres away (roughly a 7-minute walk).

1 bus stop is within a five-minute walk; the closest is Folkestone School for Girls (outside), 370 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 226 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and other theft. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Kent (101), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Sandgate Primary School issued 10 suspensions, 2.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Sandgate Primary School are The Folkestone School for Girls (0.2 miles), The Harvey Grammar School (0.5 miles), Turner Free School (0.7 miles) and Folkestone Academy (1.1 miles).