Best secondary schools in Ashford (2026)
Ashford has 5 ranked secondary schools with published results. The top-ranked is Highworth Grammar School, in the top 4% in England. The average Attainment 8 here in 2025 was 50.1, against 46.1 for England. 2 are in England's top 10%, and 0 are rated Outstanding by Ofsted. There are 2 grammar schools.
| Rank | School | Attainment 8 (2023–2025 average) | Attainment 8 2025 | Trend | Grade 5+ Eng & maths | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Top 4% in England |
Highworth Grammar School Ashford · Grammar · Girls |
69.8 | 70.8 | 95% | Not judged | |
2 Top 5% in England |
The Norton Knatchbull School Ashford · Grammar · Boys |
64.9 | 67.3 | 91% | Good | |
3 Bottom 28% in England |
The North School Ashford |
41.1 | 41.1 | 40% | No rating | |
4 Bottom 20% in England |
Towers School and Sixth Form Centre Ashford |
40.5 | 40.6 | 29% | Not judged | |
5 Bottom 3% in England |
The John Wallis Church of England Academy Ashford · Church of England |
32.5 | 30.6 | 21% | Good |
Other towns in Kent
- Broadstairs
- Canterbury
- Chatham
- Dartford
- Dover
- Folkestone
- Gillingham (Medway)
- Gravesend
- Maidstone
- Margate
- Rochester
- Royal Tunbridge Wells
- Sittingbourne
- Tonbridge
Also see
Questions
What is the best secondary school in Ashford?
On exam results over the last three years, Highworth Grammar School is the top-ranked secondary school in Ashford, in the top 4% of schools in England.
How are the schools ranked?
By published Department for Education exam results averaged over three years: for secondary schools, Attainment 8 plus a quarter of the share getting grade 5+ in English and maths; for primary schools, the share reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths plus half the share reaching the higher standard. The order uses the three-year average, so a school can rank above one with a higher single-year result. Schools with fewer than 10 pupils taking the tests are not ranked. Exam results are only part of the picture: visit, read the Ofsted report and check admissions rules, as living nearby does not guarantee a place.