The Folkestone School for Girls
Coolinge Lane, Folkestone, CT20 3RBOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
The Folkestone School for Girls is a secondary school in Folkestone for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 692 schools in Kent. It ranks 2nd of 4 secondary schools in Folkestone. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in April 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 23 April 2024, report published 10 June 2024
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Outstanding
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 23 April 2024
Pupils stand '10 feet tall' in this school because they learn to believe in themselves. An extensive range of opportunities develop pupils' many skills and talents such as abseiling and mountain biking. Many pupils join the cadets or Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme, learning about self-defence, orienteering and survival skills. Pupils act as 'global citizens', collaborating on learning projects with schools in Nepal and France. Pupils seize every opportunity, enabling them to develop into articulate and confident young women. Pupils behave exceptionally well here because staff have clear expectations of pupils' conduct and effort. School is a place for pupils to think in a scholarly way. They achieve well in many subjects. Pupils rise to the high levels of challenge in most lessons. An extensive careers programme prepares pupils ambitiously for the next stages of education or employment. Students in the sixth form speak highly of the excellent work the school does to prepare students for independent living. Workshops on meal preparation on a budget and finance management help students learn valuable life skills. Pupils feel well cared for by nurturing staff. Those who need additional help to manage their feelings receive sensitive support in 'The Loft' and from the extensive pastoral and well-being team.
What the school should improve
- Most trustees are new and do not yet have suitable expertise or training. This means trustees are not providing appropriate challenge to ensure the school continues to move forward in its school improvement journey. Trustees must ensure that they have training to enable them to be clear on their roles and responsibilities so they can ensure that the school is taking effective action where needed.
- The school's ambition for a knowledge-rich curriculum in mathematics is not realised. This means that pupils are not learning as well as they could. The school should review the mathematics curriculum to ensure that knowledge and skills build in a systematic way to helps pupil to know and remember more over time.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
165 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
135 students
Average A level grade B-, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,145 pupils on roll, with places for 1,053
Schools near The Folkestone School for Girls
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earlscliffe (Sussex Summer Schools Ltd) | 0.6 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 9.9 |
| The Harvey Grammar School | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 61.8 |
| Turner Free School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 37.6 |
| Folkestone Academy | 1 mile | Report card: Needs attention to strong standard | Attainment 8: 33.7 |
| Brockhill Park Performing Arts College | 4 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Attainment 8: 37.4 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- THE FOLKESTONE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Girls
- Admissions
- Selective
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr Mark Lester
- Phone
- 01303251125
- Address
- Coolinge Lane, Folkestone, CT20 3RB
- Local authority
- Kent
- URN
- 137837
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.