Is The Canterbury Academy a good school?

Ofsted inspected the school on 6 January 2026 under its report-card framework and graded four areas at Expected standard and three at Strong standard. Safeguarding was judged Met. On the FindGreatSchools composite score it is graded D, 77th of 102 secondary schools in Kent. The profile sets out the figures behind both.

What are The Canterbury Academy's GCSE results?

In the 2026 GCSEs, pupils at The Canterbury Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 35.2 (England: 46.2). 24.1% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths.

How do I apply for a place at The Canterbury Academy?

Applications for Year 7 places at The Canterbury Academy starting in September 2027 close on 31 October 2026. You apply through the council where you live, even for a school in another area, and offers are made on National Offer Day, 1 March 2027 (or the next working day).

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The Canterbury Academy

Knight Avenue, Canterbury, CT2 8QA

Local ranking77th of 102 secondary schools in Kent

Ofsted: ExpectedUpdated

Secondary

Phase

1300

Capacity

11-19

Age range

Mixed

Gender

Latest data: 2026 GCSEs · 2025 A-levels · Ofsted inspection 6 January 2026. Figures last updated 15 October 2026.

Ofsted Report Card

Inspected 6 January 2026 under Ofsted's renewed framework

View on Ofsted

Safeguarding standards Met

Achievement: Expected standard
Curriculum & teaching: Expected standard
Attendance & behaviour: Expected standard
Personal development & wellbeing: Strong standard
Leadership & governance: Expected standard
Inclusion: Strong standard
Post-16 provision: Strong standard

Scale: Exceptional · Strong · Expected · Needs attention · Urgent improvement

Year:

GCSE Results

2025-26

Average Attainment 8: 35.2 nat46.2
Grade 5+ Eng & Maths: 24.1% nat46.3%
Grade 4+ Eng & Maths: 46.1% nat64.8%
Cohort Size: 228

Destinations

After GCSE 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 89.0%
Continued in education: 84.0%
Apprenticeships: 3.0%
Employment: 2.0%
Not sustained: 8.0%

After A-Levels 2024-25

Sustained education/employment: 74.0%
Higher education: 31.0%
Apprenticeships: 6.0%
Employment: 33.0%
Not sustained: 14.0%

A-Level Results

2024-25

*Data not available for 2025-26 — showing latest available results

C-

Avg A-Level Grade

26.6

Avg Points/Entry

nat 35.0

24.9

Best 3 A-Levels

nat 35.8

161

A-Level Students

AAB+ with Facilitating: 1.5% nat17.5%
Applied General Avg Points: 28.6
16-18 Cohort: 830

Pupil Demographics

2024-25

Total Pupils: 1984
Boys: 1020 (51%)
Girls: 964 (49%)
Capacity: 1300 (153% full)
SEND: 19.3%
FSM Eligible: 34.0%
EAL: 8.4%
SEN with EHC Plan: 7.5%
SEN Support: 11.8%
Pupil:Teacher Ratio: 15.9:1
Teachers (FTE): 125.6
Budget per Pupil: £6,235/yr

Attendance & Absence

2024-25

*Data not available for 2025-26 — showing latest available results

Overall Absence Rate: 10.9% nat6.2%
Persistent Absence: 29.5% nat15.8%

Persistent absence: pupils missing 10%+ of sessions.

School Information

Type: Academy converter
Phase: Secondary
Nursery: Not applicable
Sixth Form: Has a sixth form
Boarders: No boarders
Admissions: Non-selective

Pupil Ethnicity

2024-25

White British: 80.0%
White Other: 5.7%
Black African: 3.2%
Mixed Other: 2.6%
Mixed White & Black Caribbean: 1.6%
Mixed White & Black African: 1.3%
Mixed White & Asian: 1.1%
Gypsy/Roma: 0.9%

80.0%

White British

5.7%

White Other

3.2%

Black African

Historical Trends

GCSE Performance

Pupil Demographics

Attendance & Absence

Contact & Location

01227463971

jwatson@canterbury.kent.sch.uk

Visit website

Knight Avenue

Canterbury, South East

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Administrative

URN: 136302
UKPRN: 10031579
Establishment No.: 5421
Trust: THE CANTERBURY ACADEMY TRUST

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