The Abbey School
Faversham, ME13 8RZ · Kent · secondary school
Check the area around this school
85th of 99 secondary schools in Kent we can score, 103 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 1.7/10 against 511 of them, against 1.1/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 17 | 35% | 0.59 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 27.5 · 11 | 30% | 0.33 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.56 · 13 | 25% | 0.33 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 36.7 · 8 | 10% | 0.08 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Abbey School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 32.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 35.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.56 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (2.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.6 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in January 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Football Academy, or Golf Academy.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,061 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,226. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How are the Football and Golf Academies integrated into the wider curriculum?
What Ofsted said about The Abbey School
Overview
The report describes a school undergoing "significant positive change" with a "calm, inclusive and ambitious" culture where pupils feel safe and supported. While personal development, post-16 provision, and leadership are rated at a "strong standard," academic achievement and attendance currently require further attention to meet expected standards fully.
Strengths
- Leaders provide a "well-planned, coherent personal development programme" that helps pupils understand safety, ethics, and cultural diversity.
- Pastoral support is a strength, with pupils trusting staff to help them manage worries through regular "check in, check up and check out" routines.
- Post-16 provision is highly effective, with a "broad and flexible curriculum" that prepares students well for adult life and ambitious destinations.
- Staff morale is high, with a "positive sense of teamwork" and leaders who "thoughtfully manage workload and promote staff wellbeing."
- The school fosters an inclusive culture where pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities feel "fully included" and access the full curriculum.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should embed "highly effective teaching across the curriculum" to help pupils deepen learning and improve published outcomes, which remain below national averages.
- Leaders should refine support to further reduce persistent absenteeism and improve overall attendance, which is currently above the national average.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 37.2 |
| 2024/25 | 35.5 |
| 2025/26 | 36.7 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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