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Schools in Ashford.

55 schools in Ashford, Kent. 6 rated Outstanding by Ofsted. See them on the map, or open any school for admissions, results and contact details.

55 Total
42 Primary
4 Secondary
2 Grammar
6 Independent

About schools in Ashford

Ashford has 55 schools listed on Schools in Kent, across every stage of a child's education, from nursery and reception through to sixth form. Families here can choose between 42 primary schools, 4 secondary schools, 2 grammar schools, 6 independent schools and 13 schools with dedicated SEND provision such as a specialist setting, SEN unit or resourced provision, giving parents genuine flexibility whether they are moving to the area or simply weighing up next steps. Many schools in Ashford publish SEND information. Support varies by school, so check each school's SEND section and speak to the SENCO about your child's needs. Ofsted currently rates 96% of inspected schools in Ashford as Good or Outstanding, including 6 judged Outstanding.

Local highlights include Challock Primary School, Great Chart Primary School and Lady Joanna Thornhill Primary School. You will also find 9 schools with a sixth form, 2 with boarding places and Kent Test grammar options within Ashford, which is useful if you are planning for the longer term. Use the interactive map to see catchment areas at a glance, filter by phase, or open any school for admissions, results, term dates, contact details and the latest Ofsted or ISI report. Every entry is independent and free to browse.

What parents should know about Ashford

Ashford has grown quickly, and its schools have grown with it. New housing at Chilmington Green, Repton Park and Park Farm has brought new primary provision, while the town keeps a long-established selective and non-selective secondary mix. If you are moving to a newer estate, always check when a nearby school opened and how many year groups it currently runs, because some newer primaries are still filling upwards year by year.

Ashford International's high-speed link to London makes the town popular with commuting families, which in turn keeps demand for places steady in the more central catchments. Rural primaries in the surrounding villages, from Wye and Charing through to Hamstreet and Woodchurch, are part of the same picture and are often overlooked by families who search only by the town name.

Primary schools (42)

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Secondary schools (4)

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Grammar schools (2)

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Special schools and SEND provision (7)

Independent schools (6)

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Schools by village near Ashford

Villages and neighbourhoods in the Ashford area, with every school we list in each one.

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Parent FAQs

How many schools are there in Ashford?

There are 55 schools in Ashford covering 42 primary, 4 secondary, 2 grammar and 6 independent.

Which are the best-rated schools in Ashford?

Ofsted has judged 6 schools in Ashford as Outstanding: Challock Primary School, Great Chart Primary School, Lady Joanna Thornhill Primary School, Highworth Grammar School and Goldwyn Community Special School. Around 96% of inspected schools are rated Good or Outstanding overall.

Are there grammar schools in Ashford?

Yes — Ashford has 2 selective grammar schools (Highworth Grammar School and The Norton Knatchbull School). Entry is via the Kent Test, usually taken in Year 6.

How do school catchment areas work in Ashford?

Kent County Council does not use strict catchment areas for most community schools. Distance from home to the school is one of several oversubscription criteria, alongside siblings, looked-after status and, for faith schools, religious criteria. Always check each school's individual admissions policy.

Can I compare schools in Ashford side by side?

Yes. Tap "Add to compare" on any school card to line up Ofsted ratings, results, pupil numbers, admissions and facilities on our compare page.

Are new schools still opening in Ashford?

Ashford has had significant new school provision alongside its housing growth, particularly to the south and west of the town. If a school on this page is very new, check its Ofsted status carefully: a school that has not yet had a full inspection will show as awaiting or not yet inspected rather than carrying a rating.

Do Ashford families apply to grammar schools in other towns?

Some do. Ashford sits within reach of grammar provision in Ashford itself and in neighbouring areas, and a number of families also look towards Canterbury and Maidstone. Travel time and the published oversubscription criteria are usually the deciding factors, so check each school's own admissions policy.