The John Wallis CofE Academy

Academy · All-through, ages 0 to 19 · Mixed · Church of England · Nursery class · Sixth form

Part of THE JOHN WALLIS CHURCH OF ENGLAND ACADEMY, ASHFORD

Millbank Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, TN23 3HG

01233 623465 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 31 January 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths21%England 45% · 2024/25
5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Ashford (Kent).
Higher than 5% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,650Room for 1,720 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,572 in 2019, 1,621 in 2021, 1,769 in 2022, 1,763 in 2023, 1,747 in 2024, 1,731 in 2025, 1,650 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place0.6138 for 215 places, September 2026
5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Ashford (Kent).
Higher than 12% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 31 January 2024.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Personal developmentGood
Leadership and managementGood
Early yearsGood
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

237 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025.

StatementThis schoolAshford (Kent)England
My child is happy at this school
5th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Ashford (Kent).
Higher than 9% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
58% 83% 88%
My child feels safe at this school
5th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Ashford (Kent).
Higher than 6% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
58% 85% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
5th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Ashford (Kent).
Higher than 14% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
54% 82% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 136 parents whose child had been bullied
5th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Ashford (Kent).
Higher than 6% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
27% 43% 50%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 206 parents who had raised a concern
5th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Ashford (Kent).
Higher than 9% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
43% 72% 76%
I would recommend this school to another parent
5th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Ashford (Kent).
Higher than 10% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
49%said yes 81% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Ashford (Kent) figures pool parents at the Ashford (Kent) schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.

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Results

Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25

59 pupils in this year group.

61% — about the same as the Kent average, and about the same as the England average.

MeasureThis schoolKentEngland
Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths 61% 62% 62%
Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths 8% 10% 8%
Met the expected standard in reading 71% 75% 75%
Met the expected standard in writing 73% 74% 72%
Met the expected standard in maths 73% 71% 74%
Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. 104 106 106
Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. 105 104 105
Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, over time
40% 50% 60% 70% England 2022/23: 60%England 2023/24: 61%England 2024/25: 62% This school 2022/23: 53%This school 2023/24: 64%This school 2024/25: 61% This school England 62% 2022/23 53% 2023/24 64% 2024/25 61%

Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

229 pupils in this year group.

21% — 26 points below the Kent average, and 24 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolKentEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 21% 47% 45%
Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. 30.6 46.7 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 2.6 4.2 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 20%This school 2023/24: 20%This school 2024/25: 21% This school England 45% 2022/23 20% 2023/24 20% 2024/25 21%

Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.

Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After Year 11

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

206 pupils in this year group.

90% — 3 points below the Kent average, and 2 points below the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 29%56%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolKentEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 90% 93% 92%
School sixth form 29% 56% 34%
Sixth form college 0% – 13%
Further education college 56% 28% 37%
Apprenticeship 1% 3% 3%
Work 3% 2% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
85%90%

Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25

49 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolKentEngland
Average A level grade D+ C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 1% 26% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 17% 53% 53%
Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. 21.9 34.9 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
15 20 25 30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 25.4This school 2023/24: 20This school 2024/25: 21.9 This school England 35 2022/23 25.4 2023/24 20 2024/25 21.9

A level subjects, 2024/25

13 subjects, 103 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 14 0% 0% 40%
Sociology 13 0% 8% 20%
English Language and Literature 11 0% 0% 16%
Psychology 11 0% 0% 19%
Biology 8 0% 0% 27%
Art and Design 7 0% 0% 34%
Chemistry 7 0% 0% 30%
Government and Politics 7 0% 0% 26%
Media/Film/Tv Studies 7 0% 0% 14%
Geography 6 0% 0% 23%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Computer Studies / Computing, History, Physics.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After sixth form

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

64 students in this year group.

86% — 6 points above the Kent average, and 7 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolKentEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 86% 80% 79%
Apprenticeship 11% 6% 7%
Work 33% 30% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
88%86%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Going on to university

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

75 students in this year group.

57% — about the same as the Kent average, and 3 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolKentEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 57% 58% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 4% 20% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
74%57%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Admissions

Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Kent. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.

How hard is it to get in (Year 7)?

For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.

Places offered215
Families who put it first138
Of those, offered a place138 (100%)
Families who listed it at all401

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.7 · 2026: 0.6

This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.

How hard is it to get in (Reception)?

For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.

Places offered43
Families who put it first41
Of those, offered a place41 (100%)
Families who listed it at all62

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 1.0

This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.

This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.

Admissions dates and schools in Kent

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolKentEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Ashford (Kent).
Higher than 79% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
41.7% 25.1%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Ashford (Kent).
Higher than 40% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
2.5% 2.8%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Ashford (Kent).
Higher than 81% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
18.4% 11.5%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Ashford (Kent).
Higher than 70% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
22.3% 12.7%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
5th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Ashford (Kent).
Lower than 22% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
10.2% 8.0%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
4th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Ashford (Kent).
Lower than 21% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
29.6% 22.9%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
5th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Ashford (Kent).
Lower than 3% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
89.5 13.6 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
5th lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Ashford (Kent).
Lower than 9% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
15.8% 6.0% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil 0.06% 0.03% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Ashford (Kent).
Higher than 11% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
14.5 16.9 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Ashford (Kent).
Higher than 6% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
9.2 12.0 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Ashford (Kent).
Higher than 82% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
20.5% 13.6%* 14.2%*

Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.

Nearby secondary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is The John Wallis CofE Academy's Ofsted rating?

The John Wallis CofE Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 31 January 2024.

How did The John Wallis CofE Academy do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 21% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 24 points below the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend The John Wallis CofE Academy?

49% of the 237 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend The John Wallis CofE Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is The John Wallis CofE Academy oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 138 families put The John Wallis CofE Academy as their first choice for 215 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 138 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

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Page updated 26 September 2026.