Ofsted: Good schoolGrammar School trending_up Popular emoji_events #12 in Kent public Top 2% UK

The Norton Knatchbull School

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

personMr Ben Greene

corporate_fareTHE NORTON KNATCHBULL SCHOOL

location_onAshford, TN24 0QJ

language Visit Website phone 1233620045

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

1,252

trending_up

Attainment 8

67.3

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GCSE Rank

#13 in Kent

#131 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

The Norton Knatchbull School is a Academy converter secondary school in Ashford, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted. Demand is above capacity (1.2×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

The Norton Knatchbull School is an academy converter in Ashford, Kent, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of THE NORTON KNATCHBULL SCHOOL. The school has approximately 1,289 pupils on roll, of whom 10% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 67.3, placing the school #13 in Kent and #131 of 3,216 nationally. 90.90% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 47.2% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 20 A-level subjects. 52.8% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 20.1% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.01 — sixth-form progress was broadly average.

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

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.2× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 18.7:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 0.7 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

67.3

Grade 5+ E&M

90.90%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)47.2%

Entering EBacc98.60%

EBacc APS6.52

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.32

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

64.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc96.60%

EBacc APS6.19

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.43

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

63.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc93%

EBacc APS6.08

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.29

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

67.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc99%

EBacc APS6.52

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc97%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.2

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

63.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc99%

EBacc APS6.15

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.16

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

62.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc78%

EBacc APS5.95

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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

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)95%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

99%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)96%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

99%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)96%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)SP%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)96%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

99%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)96%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)1%

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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

-0.01

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

135

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*4.8%

Achieving A*–A20.1%

Achieving A*–B52.8%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate95.6%

A-level subjects offered20

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.09

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

101

Retention rate92.10%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

159

Retention rate96.20%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

131

Retention rate99.2%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

13 December 2023

Inspection Report

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19 October 2022

Inspection Report

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21 March 2017

Inspection Report

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26 June 2013

Inspection Report

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28 November 2012

Inspection Report

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10 August 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2023-12-13

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2017-03-21

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2012-11-28

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2007-11-27

None EIF

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

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

Suspension Rate

0.9%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

0.9%(11 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 1,289 pupils. During this period, there were 12 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 0.9%, 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	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,289	12	0.9%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,294	7	0.5%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,265	6	0.5%	7.4%	2
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,274	10	0.8%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,268	7	0.6%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,253	10	0.8%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,252	7	0.6%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,245	15	1.2%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,266	4	0.3%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,257	15	1.2%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,257	12	1.0%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,233	5	0.4%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,238	2	0.2%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,240	3	0.2%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,184	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,184	13	1.1%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,185	2	0.2%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,152	4	0.3%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,150	13	1.1%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,151	9	0.8%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,170	12	1.0%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,173	8	0.7%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,171	33	2.8%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,172	14	1.2%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,183	9	0.8%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,186	11	0.9%	3.1%	0

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

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psychology_alt

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.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 10 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 9 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 3 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 2 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 1 pupils

Physical Disability 1 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.

92.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

90.0%Positive

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

11.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree35%

agree49%

disagree6%

strongly disagree4%

don't know5%

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

strongly agree35%

agree47%

disagree10%

strongly disagree5%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree33%

agree21%

disagree6%

strongly disagree6%

don't know2%

not applicable33%

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

yes11%

no89%

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

strongly agree33%

agree19%

disagree19%

strongly disagree19%

dont know10%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree55%

agree35%

disagree5%

strongly disagree3%

don't know3%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree51%

agree41%

disagree5%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree42%

agree45%

disagree8%

strongly disagree4%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree39%

agree49%

disagree8%

strongly disagree3%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree42%

agree51%

disagree3%

strongly disagree2%

don't know3%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree34%

agree47%

disagree9%

strongly disagree4%

don't know6%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes91%

no9%

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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

Selective Admission (Grammar)

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