St Simon of England Roman Catholic Primary School, Ashford, Ashford
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Staff care deeply for pupils in this inclusive school where everyone feels welcome and safe. Reading is prioritised brilliantly - children learn to read fluently from an early age with strong support for anyone who falls behind. The school goes beyond academics by offering enriching experiences like working with artists, public performances and business projects that help children become confident, well-rounded citizens.
Key Strengths
- Strong focus on reading - children learn phonics confidently from early years with effective catch-up support
- Well-designed curriculum that is ambitious and meets the needs of all pupils, including those with SEND
- Warm relationships between staff and pupils with prompt action taken on bullying and low-level disruption
- Excellent enrichment opportunities through the 'Ten for Ten' programme including work with artists, public performances and enterprise projects
- Clear leadership with high expectations and effective support from the trust and governors
Areas for Improvement
- Teachers do not always check pupils' understanding carefully enough before moving learning on
- Misconceptions and errors in pupils' work are not always picked up quickly enough
- Need for more systematic checks to identify gaps in pupils' learning so teaching can be adapted
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff keeping pupils safe and responding promptly to any concerns.
Extracurricular Activities
Football club, sports competitions, musical instruments, choir performances, business project in Year 6, young language ambassadors, liturgy committee, St Simon's job centre
St Simon of England Roman Catholic Primary School is an inclusive school where pupils feel safe and happy. The school has improved from its previous 'Requires Improvement' rating and now provides a broad, ambitious curriculum with high expectations for all pupils.
At a Glance
19.7%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
37 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2025/26KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 83% to 57%. Maths has declined from 83% to 60%. Writing has declined from 83% to 63%.
Class Sizes
30.3
Avg class size
29.0
Infant (KS1)
31.3
KS2
7
Total classes
3 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
Commute Calculator
Find out if this school is reachable from your home - before you apply
What are my chances?
Enter your postcode to estimate your probability of getting a place.
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
99%
Near capacity
208 pupils
210 capacity
2 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Ashford
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Ashford
Admissions Demand - Kent
Places available
19,144
Applications
16,524
Got 1st preference
90.6%
Got preferred school
98.5%
Primary admissions across Kent (2025/26)
Inspection History(6)
House Prices
Moving into the catchment? See what homes near this school actually cost
SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
4.5367%
Overall absence
10%
Persistent absence
190
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Reviews
No reviews yet - be the first to leave one.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
St Simon of England Roman Catholic Primary School, Ashford
Nearby Schools
Do you work at this school?
Claim your profile free to get a verified badge, update your contact details, and see how many parents are viewing your page.