SchoolScoresBarton Court Grammar School
Grammar school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of BARTON COURT ACADEMY TRUST
Longport, Canterbury, CT1 1PH
01227 464600 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 11 February 2020.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 20 November 2024: Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
182 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Canterbury comparisons use the 6 of its 8 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 2 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Canterbury | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Canterbury. Higher than 75% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 92% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Canterbury. Higher than 90% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96% | 95% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 1st highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Canterbury. Higher than 91% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94% | 92% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 44 parents whose child had been bullied 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Canterbury. Higher than 45% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 48% | 55% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 123 parents who had raised a concern Joint 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Canterbury. Higher than 59% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 74% | 82% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 43 parents of children with SEND 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Canterbury. Higher than 82% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 77% | 80% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Canterbury. Higher than 67% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86%said yes | 91% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 18%). 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. Canterbury figures pool parents at the Canterbury 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.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
152 pupils in this year group.
85% — 38 points above the Kent average, and 40 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 85% | 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. | 66.4 | 46.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 6.4 | 4.2 | 4.1 |
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.
146 pupils in this year group.
99% — 6 points above the Kent average, and 7 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 99% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 85% | 56% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 12% | 28% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 97% | 99% |
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
135 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | B- | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 28% | 26% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 60% | 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. | 37.5 | 34.9 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
23 subjects, 355 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 41 | 10% | 32% | 27% |
| Chemistry | 33 | 9% | 24% | 30% |
| Mathematics | 32 | 19% | 34% | 40% |
| History | 26 | 4% | 15% | 23% |
| Psychology | 25 | 4% | 20% | 19% |
| Sociology | 25 | 0% | 28% | 20% |
| English Literature | 24 | 13% | 17% | 23% |
| Film Studies | 21 | 5% | 33% | 17% |
| Geography | 17 | 12% | 24% | 23% |
| Logic / Philosophy | 17 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| Physics | 16 | 19% | 38% | 31% |
| Government and Politics | 13 | 0% | 23% | 26% |
| Art and Design | 10 | 0% | 50% | 34% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 10 | 0% | 30% | 24% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 10 | 0% | 30% | 15% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 7 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| Spanish | 7 | 0% | 29% | 34% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 6 | 50% | 67% | 59% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Drama and Theatre Studies, Music, French, Japanese, Polish.
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.
128 students in this year group.
87% — 7 points above the Kent average, and 8 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 87% | 80% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 23% | 30% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 87% |
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.
115 students in this year group.
83% — 25 points above the Kent average, and 23 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 83% | 58% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 29% | 20% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 78% | 83% |
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?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 125 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 145 |
| Of those, offered a place | 110 (76%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 837 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.2 · 2026: 1.2
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 grammar school: places depend on passing an entrance test (the 11 plus), usually taken in September of Year 6.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 6th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Canterbury. Higher than 9% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.3% | 25.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 8th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Canterbury. Higher than 5% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 0.6% | 2.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 7th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Canterbury. Higher than 7% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.1% | 11.5%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Canterbury. Higher than 54% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.5% | 12.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Canterbury. Lower than 97% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 4.5% | 8.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 1st lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Canterbury. Lower than 98% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.2% | 22.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 2nd lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Canterbury. Lower than 94% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 1.9 | 13.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Canterbury. Lower than 95% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 1.2% | 6.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 8 state secondary schools in Canterbury. Higher than 86% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.8 | 16.9 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 8 state secondary schools in Canterbury. Higher than 96% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 15.3 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 8 state secondary schools in Canterbury. Higher than 71% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 17.3% | 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
- The King's School Canterbury 0.4 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 54% A*/A at A level
- Barton Manor School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
- The Worthgate School 0.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 22% A*/A at A level
- Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed, may be improving 2023 · 90% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Anselm's Catholic School, Canterbury 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 21% grade 5+ English and maths
- Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys 1.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 89% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Canterbury Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 strong, 4 expected · 34% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Archbishop's School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 21% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Edmund's School Canterbury 1.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 29% A*/A at A level
- Kent College (Canterbury) 1.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 24% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Barton Court Grammar School's Ofsted rating?
Barton Court Grammar School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 11 February 2020. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 20 November 2024, Ofsted found the school had maintained its standards.
How did Barton Court Grammar School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 85% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 40 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Barton Court Grammar School?
86% of the 182 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Barton Court Grammar School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Barton Court Grammar School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 145 families put Barton Court Grammar School as their first choice for 125 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 110 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 137474.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.