The Marsh Academy

  • Secondary
  • Academy
  • Ages 11 to 18
Ofsted: Good

Station Road, New Romney, TN28 8BBOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

The Marsh Academy is a secondary school in New Romney for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 692 schools in Kent. It ranks 72nd of 99 secondary schools in Kent. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2022.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 15 November 2022, report published 12 January 2023

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Sixth form provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 15 November 2022

Pupils are very well cared for. Leaders have high ambitions for pupils and make sure that their individual needs are met. There is a determination that no pupil, whatever difficulty they face, is left behind. This culture continues into the sixth form. Here, students can choose from a variety of options designed to meet their future goals. Staff take care to ensure that the sixth form can be a destination for everyone. Staff have high expectations of pupils' behaviour. As a result, there is a calm and focused environment throughout the school. Pupils are respectful of each other and of the adults that work with them. Pupils understand and appreciate the high standards that staff require of them. Pupils are happy in school. They benefit from a programme of clubs and wider opportunities. Staff ensure that as many pupils as possible can take advantage of these activities. Leaders support the mental health of pupils effectively. Bullying at the school is rare but when it occurs it is dealt with quickly by staff. Pupils take advantage of a wide range of opportunities to talk about any problems they are facing. They know where to seek support and this helps to keep them safe.

What the school should improve

  • Although reducing, rates of persistent absence remain relatively high. As a result, too many pupils are missing out on their education. Leaders need to continue their work to ensure these pupils attend school more regularly.
  • The curriculum is not as ambitious as it could be. Pupils have not always had the breadth of curriculum that would serve them best and enable them to learn widely. Leaders should make sure that the curriculum fully reflects the aspirations that they have for pupils.
  • Support for the weakest readers is not as effective as it could be. They do not catch up as quickly as they need to in order to access learning across the curriculum. Leaders need to ensure that staff have the knowledge to support pupils and that actions are implemented as leaders intend, with the frequency that pupils need.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

170 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score37.7

37.7, 8.4 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths25.3%

25.3%, 20.1 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths47.6%

47.6%, 17.2 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc32.9%

32.9%, 7.6 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score3.31

3.31, 0.78 below the England average of 4.09.

A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25

53 students

Average point score per A level entry25.14

25.14, 9.86 below the England average of 35.00.

Average A level grade C-, England average B-

Pupil numbers and mix

1,019 pupils on roll, with places for 1,110

Eligible for free school meals37.8%

37.8%, 11.3 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language3.8%

3.8%, 17.8 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support29.3%

29.3%, 14.5 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.7%

4.7%, 1.3 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near The Marsh Academy

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Brockhill Park Performing Arts College8 milesReport card: Expected standard to strong standardAttainment 8: 37.4
Rye College10 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 36.8
The John Wallis Church of England Academy11 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 30.6
The Folkestone School for Girls11 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 57.9
The North School11 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 41.1

School details

School type
Academy sponsor led
Sector
Academy
Trust
SKINNERS' ACADEMIES TRUST
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
Yes
Headteacher
Mr Shaun Simmons
Address
Station Road, New Romney, TN28 8BB
Local authority
Kent
URN
135290

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.