Folkestone St. Mary's Church of England Primary Academy
Warren Road, Folkestone, CT19 6QHOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Folkestone St. Mary's Church of England Primary Academy is a primary school in Folkestone for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 692 schools in Kent. It ranks 15th of 19 primary schools in Folkestone. Its latest Ofsted outcome is a report card, from an inspection in November 2025.
Ofsted report card
Inspected 18 November 2025, report published 21 January 2026
Each area is graded from urgent improvement to exceptional, and safeguarding is either met or not met.
- Inclusion
- Expected standard
- Curriculum and teaching
- Needs attention
- Achievement
- Needs attention
- Attendance and behaviour
- Needs attention
- Personal development and wellbeing
- Expected standard
- Leadership and governance
- Expected standard
- Early years
- Expected standard
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 18 November 2025
Pupils offer a warm welcome at this friendly school. Relationships between pupils and staff are caring, supportive and nurturing. Everyone understands and follows the school's values of friendship, service, forgiveness and compassion. Leaders and staff show consistently high expectations for behaviour across the school. As a result, this is a happy and harmonious community where everybody feels a sense of belonging. The school encourages pupils to 'stop, think and wonder'. This helps pupils to be calm, respectful and resilient. Pupils enjoy learning, and many are well prepared for their next steps. Pupils generally achieve well in national tests. However, teaching does not ensure pupils remember key knowledge or produce high-quality work in some areas of the curriculum. The school offers thoughtful pastoral care and valuable support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). From Nursery onwards, staff identify pupils' needs and put effective help in place. Children make a joyful start in early years. Everyone is welcome here. The school is helping pupils to improve their attendance. Since the pandemic, too many pupils have missed too much school, particularly those who are disadvantaged or pupils with SEND. Recently appointed leaders have taken prompt action to address this. Pupils are now attending better. Pupils are well prepared for life in modern Britain through well-considered assemblies and curriculum experiences. They learn to stay safe online and to be responsible in the community. A range of enrichment experiences nurture pupils' talents and interests. Highlights include the girls' futsal tournament and singing in a large national arena as part of a national choir.
What the school should improve
- Leaders must strengthen and embed their attendance strategy to raise all pupils' attendance rates, particularly those who are disadvantaged.
- Leaders should ensure that teachers use assessment information effectively to inform teaching, deepening pupils' learning and raising their achievement over time.
- Leaders must ensure that all staff in early years have the expertise to secure high-quality interactions to help all children develop their vocabulary and communication skills by the end of Reception Year.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
58 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
406 pupils on roll, with places for 420
Schools near Folkestone St. Mary's Church of England Primary Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martello Primary | 0.2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 57% met the expected standard |
| Folkestone, St Peter's Church of England Primary School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 60% met the expected standard |
| Castle Hill Community Primary School | 0.5 miles | Ofsted: Good | 54% met the expected standard |
| Mundella Primary School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 56% met the expected standard |
| St Eanswythe's Church of England Primary School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 68% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- FOLKESTONE ST MARY'S CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY ACADEMY
- Age range
- 2 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr Richard Paez
- Phone
- 01303251390
- Address
- Warren Road, Folkestone, CT19 6QH
- Local authority
- Kent
- URN
- 139310
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.