SchoolScoresKnole Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 19 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of ALETHEIA ACADEMIES TRUST
Knole Academy, Bradbourne Vale Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 3LE
01732 454608 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 20 September 2017.
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 |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 23 November 2022: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
234 pupils in this year group.
44% — 3 points below the Kent average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 44% | 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. | 44.3 | 46.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 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.
229 pupils in this year group.
93% — about the same as the Kent average, and about the same as 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. | 93% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 47% | 56% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | Not published | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 35% | 28% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 5% | 2% | 3% |
"Not published": Not published (DfE code SP).
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 96% | 93% |
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
16 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | D+ | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 24% | 26% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 24% | 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. | 23.2 | 34.9 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
5 subjects, 25 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art and Design (Photography) | 9 | 22% | 22% | 26% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 7 | 0% | 0% | 15% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Graphics), Art and Design (Textiles), Art and Design (Fine Art).
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.
89 students in this year group.
84% — 4 points above the Kent average, and 5 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. | 84% | 80% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 7% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 44% | 30% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 84% | 84% |
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.
68 students in this year group.
51% — 7 points below the Kent average, and 9 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 51% | 58% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 15% | 20% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 61% | 51% |
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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 237 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 199 |
| Of those, offered a place | 141 (71%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 931 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 0.8
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 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Sevenoaks. Higher than 37% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 22.1% | 25.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Sevenoaks. Higher than 80% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.5% | 2.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Sevenoaks. Higher than 77% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.7% | 11.5%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Sevenoaks. Higher than 26% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.7% | 12.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Sevenoaks. Lower than 16% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.8% | 8.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Sevenoaks. Lower than 16% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 31.4% | 22.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Sevenoaks. Lower than 61% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.9 | 13.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Sevenoaks. Lower than 51% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.7% | 6.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Sevenoaks. Higher than 76% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.1 | 16.9 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Sevenoaks. Higher than 70% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.7 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Sevenoaks. Higher than 11% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 6.8% | 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
- Walthamstow Hall 0.8 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 46% A*/A at A level
- Trinity School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024 · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
- Sevenoaks School 1.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- The New Beacon School 1.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Solefield School 1.8 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Sevenoaks Preparatory School 2.3 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- St Michael's Prep School 2.3 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Radnor House Sevenoaks 2.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 25% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Knole Academy's Ofsted rating?
Knole Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 20 September 2017. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 23 November 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Knole Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 44% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, about the same as the England average of 45%.
Is Knole Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 199 families put Knole Academy as their first choice for 237 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 141 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 136128.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.