Ofsted: Outstanding

The Beacon Folkestone

verifiedData: DfE & Ofsted 2024/25

personMr Ady Young

corporate_fareKent Special Educational Needs Trust (KSENT)

location_onFolkestone, CT19 5DN

language Visit Website phone 1303847555

verified

Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2019

groups

Students

419

trending_up

Attainment 8

0.3

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GCSE Rank

#149 in Kent

#4,627 of 4,663 nationally

summarize

The Beacon Folkestone is a Foundation special school school in Folkestone, serving ages 3-19. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade.

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School Summary

The Beacon Folkestone is a foundation special school in Folkestone, Kent, admitting pupils aged 3-19. It is part of Kent Special Educational Needs Trust (KSENT). The school has approximately 431 pupils on roll, of whom 56% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 0.3, placing the school #149 in Kent and #4,627 of 4,663 nationally. 0.00% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2019. The school's current overall rating is Outstanding.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 7.8:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 0.6 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: Department for Education 2024/25, Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

0.3

Grade 5+ E&M

0.00%

Entering EBacc0.00%

EBacc APS0

2024

Progress 8 Score

-1.55

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

0.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0.00%

EBacc APS0

2023

Progress 8 Score

-1.61

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

0.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS0.00

2022

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc-%

EBacc APS-

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc-%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-1.78

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

0.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS0

2018

Progress 8 Score

-1.46

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

0.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS0

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)97%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

100%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)100%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)0%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

100%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)100%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)0%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)94%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)0%

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Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

2025

R/W/M Expected Standard

LA 61%

Reading3% LA 74%

Writing0% LA 72%

Maths0% LA 70%

Read SS

100

Maths SS

GPS SS

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2024

R/W/M Expected Standard

LA 60%England 61%

Reading0% LA 75% · Eng 74%

Writing5% LA 73% · Eng 72%

Maths5% LA 69% · Eng 73%

Read SS

Maths SS

114

GPS SS

101

Progress (0 = national avg)

Read

Write

Maths

2023

R/W/M Expected Standard

LA 58%England 60%

Reading0% LA 72% · Eng 73%

Writing0% LA 72% · Eng 71%

Maths0% LA 69% · Eng 73%

Read SS

Maths SS

GPS SS

Progress (0 = national avg)

-8.8

Read

LA -0.4

-11.4 to -6.2

-7.8

Write

LA -0.2

-10.3 to -5.2

-7.5

Maths

LA -1.2

-10.0 to -5.0

2019

R/W/M Expected Standard

LA 67%England 65%

Reading0% LA 75% · Eng 73%

Writing0% LA 81% · Eng 78%

Maths0% LA 77% · Eng 79%

Read SS

Maths SS

GPS SS

Progress (0 = national avg)

-5.5

Read

LA 0.0

-8.0 to -3.0

-6.6

Write

LA 0.1

-8.9 to -4.3

-7.5

Maths

LA -0.6

-9.7 to -5.3

2018

R/W/M Expected Standard

LA 65%

Reading0% LA 76%

Writing0% LA 80%

Maths0% LA 73%

Read SS

Maths SS

GPS SS

Progress (0 = national avg)

-4.8

Read

LA 0.0

-7.1 to -2.5

-4.6

Write

LA 0.4

-6.8 to -2.4

-5.1

Maths

LA -0.5

-7.2 to -3

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

05 June 2024

Inspection Report

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11 February 2020

Inspection Report

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12 February 2019

Inspection Report

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26 June 2014

Inspection Report

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21 June 2011

Inspection Report

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26 January 2010

Inspection Report

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06 February 2008

Inspection Report

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17 May 2004

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

2 Evaluations

2019-02-12

S5 Inspection Legacy

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2014-06-26

None Legacy

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

0.9%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

0.9%(4 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 431 pupils. During this period, there were 4 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 0.9%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	431	4	0.9%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	425	1	0.2%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	422	5	1.2%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	421	0	0.0%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	419	0	0.0%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	410	0	0.0%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	419	3	0.7%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	407	0	0.0%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	395	0	0.0%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	393	0	0.0%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	395	1	0.3%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	384	0	0.0%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	363	2	0.6%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	362	2	0.6%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	360	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	360	0	0.0%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	357	0	0.0%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	371	0	0.0%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	372	0	0.0%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	368	0	0.0%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	367	0	0.0%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	365	1	0.3%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	351	1	0.3%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	356	0	0.0%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	352	0	0.0%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	347	0	0.0%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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psychology_alt

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 224 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 85 pupils

Severe Learning Difficulty 41 pupils

Profound & Multiple Learning 30 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 20 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 11 pupils

Physical Disability 11 pupils

Visual Impairment 4 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 3 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

93.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

97.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

9.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree50%

agree38%

disagree6%

strongly disagree6%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree41%

agree41%

disagree6%

strongly disagree9%

don't know3%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree47%

agree16%

disagree16%

strongly disagree13%

not applicable9%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes100%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree69%

agree19%

disagree13%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree59%

agree22%

disagree3%

strongly disagree9%

don't know6%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree66%

agree28%

disagree3%

strongly disagree3%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree63%

agree16%

disagree13%

strongly disagree3%

don't know6%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree59%

agree25%

disagree3%

strongly disagree9%

don't know3%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree47%

agree31%

disagree9%

strongly disagree6%

don't know6%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree72%

agree16%

disagree6%

strongly disagree3%

don't know3%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes81%

no19%

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Primary Performance Trends (KS2)

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

Staffing

Teacher Turnover