SchoolScoresThe Norton Knatchbull School
Grammar school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Boys only · Sixth form
Part of THE NORTON KNATCHBULL SCHOOL
Hythe Road, Ashford, TN24 0QJ
01233 620045 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 13 December 2023.
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 |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
191 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
| Statement | This school | Ashford (Kent) | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Ashford (Kent). Higher than 82% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 83% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Ashford (Kent). Higher than 87% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 85% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Ashford (Kent). Higher than 70% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86% | 82% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 52 parents whose child had been bullied 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Ashford (Kent). Higher than 29% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 42% | 43% | 49% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 126 parents who had raised a concern 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Ashford (Kent). Higher than 84% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83% | 72% | 75% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Ashford (Kent). Higher than 80% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90%said yes | 81% | 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. Ashford (Kent) figures pool parents at the Ashford (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
208 pupils in this year group.
91% — 44 points above the Kent average, and 46 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 91% | 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. | 67.3 | 46.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 6.5 | 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.
187 pupils in this year group.
97% — 4 points above the Kent average, and 5 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. | 97% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 80% | 56% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 14% | 28% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 99% | 97% |
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
130 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 | 20% | 26% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 53% | 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. | 34.6 | 34.9 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
20 subjects, 394 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 48 | 13% | 35% | 40% |
| Physics | 32 | 6% | 19% | 31% |
| Chemistry | 30 | 7% | 20% | 30% |
| Business Studies:Single | 28 | 0% | 0% | 16% |
| Psychology | 26 | 4% | 19% | 19% |
| Biology | 25 | 0% | 20% | 27% |
| Geography | 25 | 0% | 4% | 23% |
| History | 22 | 0% | 27% | 23% |
| English Language and Literature | 20 | 0% | 10% | 16% |
| Economics | 19 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 18 | 6% | 44% | 24% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 17 | 0% | 12% | 15% |
| Sociology | 17 | 0% | 0% | 20% |
| Classical Civilisation | 15 | 0% | 20% | 23% |
| Mathematics (Further) | 13 | 23% | 46% | 59% |
| English Literature | 11 | 9% | 18% | 23% |
| Government and Politics | 10 | 0% | 40% | 26% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 8 | 13% | 25% | 17% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 6 | 33% | 67% | 38% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Spanish.
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.
154 students in this year group.
89% — 9 points above the Kent average, and 10 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. | 89% | 80% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 18% | 30% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 91% | 89% |
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.
129 students in this year group.
69% — 11 points above the Kent average, and 9 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 69% | 58% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 19% | 20% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 71% | 69% |
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 | 192 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 225 |
| Of those, offered a place | 159 (71%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 417 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 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 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Ashford (Kent). Higher than 8% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.4% | 25.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Ashford (Kent). Higher than 5% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 0.6% | 2.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Ashford (Kent). Higher than 1% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.4% | 11.5%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Ashford (Kent). Higher than 63% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.8% | 12.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Ashford (Kent). Lower than 99% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 4.0% | 8.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Ashford (Kent). Lower than 99% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 6.7% | 22.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Ashford (Kent). Lower than 91% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 2.6 | 13.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Ashford (Kent). Lower than 91% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 1.8% | 6.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Ashford (Kent). Higher than 74% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.0 | 16.9 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Ashford (Kent). Higher than 64% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.4 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Ashford (Kent). Higher than 20% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 8.5% | 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 North School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017, before conversion), confirmed 2024 · 40% grade 5+ English and maths
- Ashford School 0.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 38% A*/A at A level
- Highworth Grammar School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 95% grade 5+ English and maths
- Towers School and Sixth Form Centre 1.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 29% grade 5+ English and maths
- The John Wallis CofE Academy 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 21% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Norton Knatchbull School's Ofsted rating?
The Norton Knatchbull School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 13 December 2023.
How did The Norton Knatchbull School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 91% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 46 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend The Norton Knatchbull School?
90% of the 191 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend The Norton Knatchbull School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Norton Knatchbull School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 225 families put The Norton Knatchbull School as their first choice for 192 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 159 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 138019.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- 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.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.