SchoolScoresKing Ethelbert School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of COASTAL ACADEMIES TRUST
Canterbury Road, Birchington, CT7 9BL
01843 831999 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 4 June 2024.
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 | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
95 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Kent comparisons use the 53 of its 104 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 51 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 | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 47th highest of 53 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Kent. Higher than 22% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 71% | 87% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 46th highest of 53 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Kent. Higher than 25% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 76% | 90% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 47th highest of 53 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Kent. Higher than 26% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 65% | 84% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 55 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 48th highest of 53 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Kent. Higher than 17% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 36% | 50% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 86 parents who had raised a concern Joint 47th highest of 53 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Kent. Higher than 26% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 59% | 76% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 47th highest of 53 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Kent. Higher than 25% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 67%said yes | 85% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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. Kent figures pool parents at the Kent 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
141 pupils in this year group.
22% — 25 points below the Kent average, and 23 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 22% | 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. | 36.8 | 46.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.1 | 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.
145 pupils in this year group.
94% — about the same as the Kent average, and 2 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. | 94% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 54% | 56% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 32% | 28% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 94% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 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 one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 150 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 144 |
| Of those, offered a place | 127 (88%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 537 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.3 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.0
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 31st highest of 103 state secondary schools in Kent. Higher than 68% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 35.1% | 25.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 19th highest of 103 state secondary schools in Kent. Higher than 84% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.9% | 2.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 7th highest of 103 state secondary schools in Kent. Higher than 96% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 24.7% | 11.5%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 76th highest of 103 state secondary schools in Kent. Higher than 33% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.9% | 12.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 82nd lowest of 102 state secondary schools in Kent. Lower than 20% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.3% | 8.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 78th lowest of 102 state secondary schools in Kent. Lower than 18% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 30.6% | 22.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 65th lowest of 103 state secondary schools in Kent. Lower than 49% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 15.1 | 13.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 60th lowest of 103 state secondary schools in Kent. Lower than 48% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.1% | 6.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 69th highest of 104 state secondary schools in Kent. Higher than 33% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.0 | 16.9 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 41st highest of 104 state secondary schools in Kent. Higher than 72% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.8 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 65th highest of 103 state secondary schools in Kent. Higher than 36% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 11.1% | 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
- Ursuline College 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 20% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hartsdown Academy 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 4 expected, 2 needs attention · 20% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is King Ethelbert School's Ofsted rating?
King Ethelbert School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 4 June 2024.
How did King Ethelbert School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 22% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 23 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend King Ethelbert School?
67% of the 95 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend King Ethelbert School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is King Ethelbert School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 144 families put King Ethelbert School as their first choice for 150 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 127 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 136584.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.