Sandgate Primary School
Coolinge Lane, Folkestone, CT20 3QU
Ofsted report card
Strong standard in every area
7 areas rated · 7 strong standard · No single overall grade
See the Ofsted ratingsPupils
419
Ages
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Age range
4 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
419
Headteacher
Mrs Lianne Jones
Type
Primary
Ofsted
Strong standard in every area
Local authority
Kent
About Sandgate Primary School
Sandgate Primary School is a mixed primary school based in Folkestone for children aged 4 to 11. It has roughly 419 pupils on roll. On our figures that is above the typical size for a primary school in Folkestone. It is a maintained school within the Kent local authority area. The headteacher is Mrs Lianne Jones.
Inspection at a glance
At its most recent Ofsted inspection on 24 February 2026, Sandgate Primary School was inspected under Ofsted's new report card system, which does not give a single overall grade. Inspectors rated 7 areas (7 strong standard): Leadership and Governance: strong standard; Curriculum and Teaching: strong standard; Achievement: strong standard; Attendance and Behaviour: strong standard; Personal Development and Wellbeing: strong standard; Inclusion: strong standard; Early Years: strong standard. The full inspection report is linked from this page so you can read the inspectors' own words.
How the school is performing
At key stage 2, 75% met expected standard in reading, writing and maths (2024/25). Attendance works out at roughly 96.7% (absence 3.3%) (2024/25). Around 10.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals. Figures come from the Department for Education's published school performance data and are shown in full further down this page.
Getting a place at Sandgate Primary School
You apply for a place at Sandgate Primary School on the primary common application form through Kent, with the national deadline of 15 January. If the school is oversubscribed, places are allocated on its published admissions criteria, which usually give priority to looked-after children, siblings and distance from home to school. There is no separate entrance assessment. Always check the current admissions policy on the school's own website before you apply, because criteria can change year to year.
SEND at a glance
Sandgate Primary School is a mainstream school, supporting pupils with SEND alongside their classmates through the graduated approach of assess, plan, do, review. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.
Sandgate Primary School contact details and location
Sandgate Primary School is at Coolinge Lane, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 3QU. The school office can be reached on 01303 257280. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.
Ofsted inspection
Leadership & Governance
How well the school is led and overseen
Curriculum & Teaching
What pupils are taught and how well
Achievement
How well pupils do in their learning
Attendance & Behaviour
How pupils behave and how often they attend
Personal Development & Wellbeing
Support for pupils' wider growth and wellbeing
Inclusion
How well the school supports every pupil, including those with extra needs
Early Years
Quality of nursery and Reception
Based on the Ofsted inspection of 24/02/2026.
Sandgate Primary School admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
Sandgate Primary School does not run its own entrance test. Places are allocated by Kent County Council using published oversubscription criteria. Oversubscription criteria usually cover looked-after children, siblings, distance from the school, and (for faith schools) faith criteria.
Official links
Dates and criteria change each year - always confirm with the school and Kent County Council. KCC school admissions →
How to apply
1. Apply on the common application form (autumn term before Reception)
Complete the Primary Common Application Form on the Kent County Council website by mid-January - for September 2026 entry the window ran from Friday 7 November 2025 to Thursday 15 January 2026, and offers were emailed on Thursday 16 April 2026.
2. National Offer Day (mid-April)
You'll be told your allocated school by email - for 2026 entry KCC emailed offers on Thursday 16 April 2026 after 4pm, with offers visible online from 5pm.
3. Accept and, if needed, appeal
Accept your place by the given date. If you didn't get your preferred school, you have the right to appeal.
4. In-year admissions
Moving mid-year? Apply directly through Kent County Council's in-year admissions team, or in some cases direct to the school.
Didn't get a place? You can appeal
If Sandgate Primary School is not offered on National Offer Day, you can appeal the decision. The appeal is heard by an independent panel and is free to submit.
How to appeal a school offerSandgate Primary School results and attendance
KS2 results
A-Level results
N/A
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at Sandgate Primary School
SEND setting
Mainstream school
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at Sandgate Primary School
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
Sandgate Primary School term dates: Kent standard term dates for 2026/27
These are Kent County Council's standard term dates. Your school may use different dates and INSET days, so check the school's website before making plans.
Autumn 1 · 2026
1 Sep-23 Oct
Autumn 2 · 2026
2 Nov-18 Dec
Spring 1 · 2027
4 Jan-12 Feb
Spring 2 · 2027
22 Feb-25 Mar
Summer 1 · 2027
12 Apr-28 May
Summer 2 · 2027
7 Jun-21 Jul
Sandgate Primary School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at Sandgate Primary School?
Apply through Kent on the primary common application form by 15 January, naming Sandgate Primary School as one of your preferences. Offers are made in April.
What is Sandgate Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted inspected Sandgate Primary School on 24 February 2026 under its new report card system, which does not give a single overall grade. Inspectors rated 7 areas: 7 strong standard. You can see each area's grade in the inspection section of this page.
What SEND support does Sandgate Primary School offer?
Sandgate Primary School is recorded as a mainstream school. The school's SEN information report has the current detail and is linked in the SEND section of this page.
What are Sandgate Primary School's term dates and INSET days?
Sandgate Primary School follows the standard Kent pattern for 2026/27, set out term by term on this page. INSET days are set by the school itself, so confirm them on the school's own calendar.
Where is Sandgate Primary School and how do I contact the school?
Sandgate Primary School is at Coolinge Lane, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 3QU. The office number is 01303 257280. A map and directions are on this page.
How big is Sandgate Primary School and what ages does it take?
Sandgate Primary School has around 419 pupils on roll and covers ages 4 to 11. It is a mixed school taking boys and girls.
About this information. Compiled from published sources including the Department for Education, Ofsted and the school's own website. Last reviewed Spring 2026.
Report an update →Schools near Sandgate Primary School
The closest schools to CT20 3QU, measured from each school's own location.
Folkestone · Primary · 0.6 miles
Morehall Primary School
Folkestone · Primary · 0.7 miles
All Souls CofE Primary School
Folkestone · Primary · 1.0 miles
Cheriton Primary School
Folkestone · Primary · 1.0 miles
Stella Maris Catholic Primary School
Folkestone · Primary · 1.0 miles
Christ Church CofE Primary Academy
Folkestone · Primary · 1.1 miles
Harcourt Primary School
Help us keep this page accurate
Spotted something wrong?
Tell us what needs updating on Sandgate Primary School and we'll review it before the page changes.