Ofsted: Requires improvement trending_up Popular emoji_events #69 in Kent public Top 38% UK

The Canterbury Academy

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Jon Watson

corporate_fareTHE CANTERBURY ACADEMY TRUST

location_onCanterbury, CT2 8QA

language Visit Website phone 1227463971

verified

Ofsted

Requires improvement

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

1,844

trending_up

Attainment 8

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GCSE Rank

#67 in Kent

#2,669 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

The Canterbury Academy is a Academy converter secondary school in Canterbury, serving ages 11-19. Currently Requires Improvement according to Ofsted — the school is working to raise standards. Demand is above capacity (1.4×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

The Canterbury Academy is an academy converter in Canterbury, Kent, admitting pupils aged 11-19. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of THE CANTERBURY ACADEMY TRUST. The school has approximately 1,984 pupils on roll, of whom 34% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 39, placing the school #67 in Kent and #2,669 of 3,216 nationally. 33.60% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 7.0% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 34 A-level subjects. 28.2% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 7.5% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.27 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. The school's current overall rating is Requires improvement. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Requires improvement, behaviour and attitudes Requires improvement, personal development Good, and leadership and management Requires improvement.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.4× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 16.9:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 1.6 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

33.60%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)7.0%

Entering EBacc11.20%

EBacc APS3.27

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.67

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc11.60%

EBacc APS3.17

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.55

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

38.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc10%

EBacc APS3.05

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.57

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc12%

EBacc APS3.2

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc15%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.51

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

37.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc22%

EBacc APS3.02

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.43

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc24%

EBacc APS2.93

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

89%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)84%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)8%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)84%

Apprenticeships6%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

90%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.27

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*1.6%

Achieving A*–A7.5%

Achieving A*–B28.2%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate76.1%

A-level subjects offered34

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.2

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

D+

Students

Retention rate84.20%

2023

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate92.00%

2022

Avg Grade

C+

Students

121

Retention rate92.6%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

21 February 2023

Inspection Report

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11 October 2017

Inspection Report

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17 May 2016

Inspection Report

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13 October 2015

Inspection Report

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25 April 2012

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

5 Evaluations

2023-02-21

S5 Inspection EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Requires improvement

Development

Good

Leadership

Requires improvement

2017-10-11

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2016-05-17

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2015-10-13

None Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

2012-04-25

None Legacy

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

1.5%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

1.0%(20 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,984 pupils. During this period, there were 29 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 1.5%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,984	29	1.5%	7.3%
2024/25 (Autumn term)	2,008	36	1.8%	7.8%
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,874	61	3.3%	7.4%
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,905	85	4.5%	7.1%
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,939	57	2.9%	8.2%
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,809	86	4.8%	6.6%
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,844	55	3.0%	6.4%
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,870	23	1.2%	5.9%
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,805	34	1.9%	4.7%
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,841	51	2.8%	4.9%
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,869	51	2.7%	4.4%
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,808	47	2.6%	3.6%
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,833	12	0.7%	1.0%
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,841	49	2.7%	3.9%
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,685	0	0.0%	0.0%
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,685	19	1.1%	3.2%
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,708	21	1.2%	4.2%
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,674	32	1.9%	3.1%
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,710	44	2.6%	3.8%
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,738	88	5.1%	3.8%
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,645	76	4.6%	3.4%
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,640	65	4.0%	3.0%
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,680	72	4.3%	3.7%
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,768	44	2.5%	3.0%
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,765	34	1.9%	3.3%
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,807	38	2.1%	3.1%

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 78 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 69 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 65 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 63 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 61 pupils

Hearing Impairment 15 pupils

Multi-Sensory Impairment 13 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 10 pupils

Physical Disability 5 pupils

health_and_safety

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

87.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

89.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

23.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree32%

agree46%

disagree13%

strongly disagree4%

don't know5%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree49%

agree42%

disagree6%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree43%

agree18%

disagree11%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

not applicable23%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes28%

no72%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree38%

agree31%

disagree16%

strongly disagree7%

dont know7%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree50%

agree33%

disagree10%

strongly disagree3%

don't know4%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree47%

agree40%

disagree8%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree47%

agree38%

disagree11%

strongly disagree4%

don't know1%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree74%

agree23%

disagree1%

strongly disagree1%

don't know2%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree66%

agree27%

disagree1%

strongly disagree2%

don't know5%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree49%

agree33%

disagree13%

strongly disagree1%

don't know5%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes87%

no13%

Top Secondary Schools in Kent

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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Dartford Grammar School

Outstanding

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The Judd School

Outstanding

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Tonbridge Grammar School

Outstanding

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Dartford Grammar School for Girls

Outstanding

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Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School

Outstanding

location_on Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9UJ

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Invicta Grammar School

Outstanding

location_on Maidstone, ME14 5DS

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View all schools in Kent arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Kent

Dartford Grammar School

The Judd School

Tonbridge Grammar School

Dartford Grammar School for Girls

Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School

Invicta Grammar School