Caldecott Foundation School
Station Road, Smeeth, Ashford, TN25 6PWOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Caldecott Foundation School is a special school in Ashford for ages 5 to 18. It is one of the 692 schools in Kent. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2017.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 7 March 2017, report published 5 April 2017
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 4 October 2022
The school's calm, purposeful atmosphere supports pupils' learning well. Pupils are encouraged to 'be ready, be respectful, and be safe'. They enjoy learning new things and grow in confidence as they discover new interests and develop personal skills. By the end of Year 11, pupils are securely equipped with the academic knowledge and personal skills they need to support them in their next steps in employment or education. One Year 11 pupil spoke of his appreciation for the school's advice and support, which has enabled him to aim for his chosen career. Consistent expectations and well-established routines help pupils to feel secure and supported. They move around the school sensibly. Lunchtimes are well-ordered and sociable occasions, when pupils and staff enjoy chatting while they eat. Pupils usually behave well in lessons. Sometimes, however, they become anxious or frustrated and find it hard to behave as well as they should. Pupils know that adults are always on hand to help when this is the case. Staff develop strong relationships with pupils. They respond to any challenging behaviour with patience, sensitivity and quiet good humour. Leaders address any concerns about bullying seriously and promptly.
What the school should improve
- Sometimes staff lack the depth of subject knowledge to teach all subjects consistently well. When this is the case, the curriculum is not always adapted as well as it could be in response to pupils' individual needs. Pupils do not always learn as well as they could in these subjects as a result. This is particularly the case in recently revised subjects, such as PSHE. Leaders know that this is an aspect of the school's work which needs developing. Staff training has already begun, with further training planned in the coming months. Staff say that they find the training provided helpful, and they are keen to learn more. Leaders should make sure that staff have the subject knowledge needed to teach all subjects equally well.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
6 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
69 pupils on roll, with places for 85
Schools near Caldecott Foundation School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kings Park School | 4 miles | Report card: Urgent improvement to expected standard | Not published |
| The T3 School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| The Wyvern School (Buxford) | 5 miles | Ofsted: Good | 0% met the expected standard |
| Goldwyn School | 6 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 8.8 |
| Hope View School | 9 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 8.8 |
School details
- School type
- Non-maintained special school
- Sector
- Other
- Age range
- 5 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Miss Stacey McShane
- Phone
- 01303815685
- Address
- Station Road, Smeeth, Ashford, TN25 6PW
- Local authority
- Kent
- URN
- 119027
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.