The Archbishop's School
Canterbury, CT2 7AP · Kent · secondary school
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80th 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.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.8/10 against 216 of them, against 0.4/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 19.3 · 3 | 30% | 0.10 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.79 · 6 | 25% | 0.15 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 32.1 · 2 | 10% | 0.02 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Archbishop's School overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in January 2024. In 2024/25, 21.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 35.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.79 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than the national average for their starting point. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (1.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Archbishop's Got Talent club, the Millwall FC Football Academy, the P16 Football Academy, or the Rugby Academy. An after-school club is also available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 770 pupils against a stated capacity of 900. 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 join the Millwall FC or Rugby Academies? How does the school ensure that the after-school club meets the needs of all year groups?
What Ofsted said about The Archbishop's School
Overview
The Archbishop’s School is described as a “warmly welcoming” institution that has grown into a diverse community, including many pupils from refugee families. The report states that the school is “passionate in wanting all pupils to achieve well” and does a “good job” supporting those who join mid-year or have previously struggled. Overall, the school provides a high-quality education where pupils feel safe, behave well, and make secure progress in their learning and attendance.
Strengths
- The curriculum in key stages 3 and 4 “meets pupils’ needs well,” with a logical sequence that builds secure knowledge and addresses past low achievement.
- Teachers possess “good subject expertise” and typically explain new ideas clearly, using effective activities to help pupils learn.
- The school provides “effective support” for pupils with poor attendance records, resulting in securely improved attendance from the point they start.
- Staff accurately identify pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and “adapt lesson activities well” to support them.
- Personal development is promoted through a “well-planned programme” of lessons and activities, fostering a cohesive and respectful community.
Areas to improve
- The sixth-form curriculum “does not meet all students’ needs fully,” with too many students taking courses for which they have insufficient prior learning.
- The school does not analyse attendance strategies closely enough to identify which actions make the most difference, leading to some resources having less impact.
- Teachers’ work in checking that new knowledge is embedded in long-term memory is “not always fully effective,” slowing achievement.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective” and that staff are “vigilant” in this area.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 36.6 |
| 2024/25 | 35.2 |
| 2025/26 | 32.1 |
| 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 application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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