SchoolScoresThe Canterbury Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 19 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of THE CANTERBURY ACADEMY TRUST
Knight Avenue, Canterbury, CT2 8QA
01227 463971 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 6 January 2026 , published 28 May 2026.
In short: 3 strong, 4 expected, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Post-16 provisionSixth form or other study after 16. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
269 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
Kent comparisons use the 11 of its 104 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 93 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 5th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Kent. Higher than 60% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 82% | 83% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school 5th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Kent. Higher than 53% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 84% | 87% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 7th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Kent. Higher than 42% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 71% | 80% | 78% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 66 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 2nd highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Kent. Higher than 78% of 344 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 59% | 51% | 43% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 237 parents who had raised a concern Joint 4th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Kent. Higher than 57% of 431 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 73% | 75% | 74% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 136 parents of children with SEND Joint 4th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Kent. Higher than 60% of 356 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 64% | 61% | 63% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 3rd highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Kent. Higher than 60% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86%said yes | 84% | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 14%). 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. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
232 pupils in this year group.
34% — 13 points below the Kent average, and 12 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 34% | 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. | 39 | 46.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.3 | 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.
214 pupils in this year group.
89% — 4 points below the Kent average, and 3 points below 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. | 89% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 62% | 56% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 21% | 28% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 93% | 89% |
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
161 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C- | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 8% | 26% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 28% | 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. | 26.6 | 34.9 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
34 subjects, 308 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sociology | 41 | 2% | 2% | 20% |
| English Literature | 22 | 5% | 5% | 23% |
| Business Studies:Single | 21 | 0% | 5% | 16% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 17 | 0% | 12% | 26% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 15 | 0% | 7% | 38% |
| Film Studies | 14 | 0% | 14% | 17% |
| Mathematics | 14 | 0% | 7% | 40% |
| Environmental Science | 13 | 0% | 0% | 14% |
| Art and Design (Graphics) | 12 | 8% | 25% | 32% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 11 | 0% | 9% | 17% |
| Physics | 11 | 0% | 9% | 31% |
| Biology | 10 | 0% | 10% | 27% |
| English Language | 10 | 0% | 0% | 13% |
| Government and Politics | 9 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| History | 9 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Psychology | 9 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| Dance | 8 | 0% | 0% | 30% |
| Law | 8 | 0% | 0% | 17% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 7 | 0% | 0% | 15% |
| Chemistry | 6 | 0% | 17% | 30% |
| Drama and Theatre Studies | 6 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Textiles), Computer Studies / Computing, Geography, Religious Studies, English Language and Literature, Economics, French, German, Logic / Philosophy, Polish, Chinese, Italian, Modern Greek.
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.
358 students in this year group.
75% — 5 points below the Kent average, and 4 points below 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. | 75% | 80% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 33% | 30% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 72% | 75% |
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.
261 students in this year group.
53% — 5 points below the Kent average, and 7 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 53% | 58% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 5% | 20% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 52% | 53% |
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 | 203 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 248 |
| Of those, offered a place | 178 (72%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 844 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.4 · 2025: 1.3 · 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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 62 places for hearing impairment; Speech, language and communication needs; Autism. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 4th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Canterbury. Higher than 66% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 34.0% | 25.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 8 state secondary schools in Canterbury. Higher than 97% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.5% | 2.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Canterbury. Higher than 35% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.8% | 11.5%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 8th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Canterbury. Higher than 38% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 8.4% | 12.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 7th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Canterbury. Lower than 15% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.9% | 8.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 7th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Canterbury. Lower than 21% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 29.6% | 22.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 4th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Canterbury. Lower than 80% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.6 | 13.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Canterbury. Lower than 81% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 3.2% | 6.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 6th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Canterbury. Higher than 24% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.5 | 16.9 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 5th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Canterbury. Higher than 33% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.1 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Canterbury. Higher than 59% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 15.1% | 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- St Edmund's School Canterbury 0.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 29% A*/A at A level
- The King's School Canterbury 0.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 54% A*/A at A level
- Kent College (Canterbury) 1.1 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 24% A*/A at A level
- Kent College International Study Centre 1.1 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- The Archbishop's School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 21% grade 5+ English and maths
- Barton Court Grammar School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), confirmed 2024 · 85% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Worthgate School 1.4 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 22% A*/A at A level
- Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys 1.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 89% grade 5+ English and maths
- Barton Manor School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
- Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed, may be improving 2023 · 90% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Canterbury Academy's Ofsted rating?
The Canterbury Academy was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 6 January 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 3 strong, 4 expected, and safeguarding was met.
How did The Canterbury Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 34% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 12 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend The Canterbury Academy?
86% of the 269 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend The Canterbury Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Canterbury Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 248 families put The Canterbury Academy as their first choice for 203 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 178 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 136302.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 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.