The Quest School
Bell 3, The Hop Farm, Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood, TN12 6PYOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
The Quest School is a special school in Paddock Wood for ages 5 to 19. It is one of the 692 schools in Kent. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in September 2025.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 23 September 2025, report published 2 November 2025
- Overall effectiveness
- Outstanding
- Quality of education
- Outstanding
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Outstanding
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 23 September 2025
Pupils truly thrive at this school. They feel very happy and safe. This is because staff make every effort to know each pupil and their needs individually. The school is highly ambitious for all pupils to achieve their very best. Each pupil benefits from a personalised learning programme which meets their specific needs. As a result, pupils make great progress from their starting points. They learn the knowledge and skills that they need to lead fulfilled adult lives. Strong relationships and highly consistent practices permeate the school. Enabling pupils to communicate effectively and to self-regulate their emotions sits at the school's core. Pupils benefit greatly from a calm environment and well-established routines. Staff provide a warm and welcoming start to the day. They use appropriate communication aids to help pupils to understand what their day has in store. This gives pupils a strong sense of security which enables them to settle well to learning. All pupils, should they wish, have the chance to influence school improvements through serving on the school council. Through this, pupils learn how to collaborate, to become confident in group discussions and how to consider others' views. In addition, pupils enjoy developing their musical and sporting talents through performing in shows and sports events.
Pupil numbers and mix
26 pupils on roll, with places for 30
Schools near The Quest School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakley School | 6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 0% met the expected standard |
| Bower Grove School | 6 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 8.9 |
| Nexus Foundation Special School | 6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 0% met the expected standard |
| Meadows School | 7 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | Attainment 8: 0.5 |
| Five Acre Wood School | 7 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | 0% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Other independent special school
- Sector
- Independent
- Age range
- 5 to 19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Mrs Nicola Keyes Mrs Louise Smyth
- Phone
- 01732522700
- Address
- Bell 3, The Hop Farm, Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood, TN12 6PY
- Local authority
- Kent
- URN
- 134605
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.