Ashford School
Ashford, Kent · TN24 8PB
Ashford School is a well-established independent all-through school in Kent with a substantial all-age community from nursery through sixth form. The school combines day and boarding provision, offering a traditional independent education with emphasis on pastoral care and co-curricular breadth. Its size (1055 pupils) and multi-site structure enable strong peer mentoring across year groups, while the presence of boarding creates a tight-knit residential community.
- →All-through education from nursery to sixth form, ensuring smooth transitions and continuity
- →Boarding facilities that foster independence and a supportive residential community culture
- →Broad co-curricular offer including strong drama, music, and creative arts programmes
- →Located in southeast England with good access to London and European travel opportunities
Who thrives here
Pupils who value pastoral support and a traditional independent school ethos, including those seeking boarding in a Kent-based community. The school suits families seeking a broad, balanced education with strong extracurricular engagement rather than ultra-selective academic intensity.
Strengths at a glance
Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.
At a glance
Contact & visit
East Hill
Ashford, Kent
TN24 8PB
Nearest stations
Notable alumni
Tom Watts
Travel writer and award namesake (Tom Watts Travel Award established at school)
Recent investment
Frequently asked questions
What are the fees at Ashford School?
Day fees at Ashford School are approximately £19,500 per year (2025/26). Boarding fees are higher.
How do you get into Ashford School?
Ashford School admits pupils at 11+, 13+, 16+. Entry is assessed by Interview, Assessment. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.
What are Ashford School's exam results?
At Ashford School, 27% of A-levels were graded A*–B and 54% of GCSEs were grade 7/A or above. Full results are in the Results section above.
Is Ashford School a boarding school?
Ashford School offers boarding as well as day places.
What is Ashford School's latest inspection rating?
ISI rated Ashford School “Excellent” (2020).
What parents say
Frequently praised
✓Strong pastoral care and house-based community ethos
✓Breadth of co-curricular opportunities, particularly in arts and drama
✓All-through provision enabling smooth transitions from early years to sixth form
✓Supportive boarding environment fostering independence and friendships
✓Inclusive learning culture with dedicated support for diverse needs
Common concerns
!Not yet Ofsted-inspected (as of record date), limiting external validation of teaching quality
!As a non-HMC school, may lack prestige cachet compared to major independent competitors
!Limited publicly available data on sixth form destinations and academic outcomes