The Canterbury Academy
Canterbury, CT2 8QA · Kent · secondary school
Check the area around this school
86th 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 — 0.6/10 against 698 of them, against 0.8/10 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 | 21 | 35% | 0.74 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 24.1 · 7 | 30% | 0.21 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.67 · 9 | 25% | 0.23 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 35.2 · 6 | 10% | 0.06 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Canterbury Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 33.6% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 39.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 in 2023/24 was -0.67, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (1.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.7 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.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,984 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,300. 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 steps are taken to improve progress scores for students starting from lower baselines? How does the school manage class sizes given the current over-capacity status?
What Ofsted said about The Canterbury Academy
Overview
The Canterbury Academy is described as a "highly inclusive school" that successfully serves pupils with a wide range of needs, including a large proportion with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Leaders demonstrate "great moral purpose and integrity," creating a "vibrant community" where pupils are valued and prepared for "ambitious and sustained destinations."
Strengths
- Inclusion is rated at a "Strong standard," with leaders making inclusion "a reality" through "3 very effective specially resourced provisions."
- Personal development is "taught very well," helping pupils develop "strong moral understanding" and knowledge of "online risks" and healthy relationships.
- The sixth form is "highly inclusive" with an "ambitious curriculum" encompassing over 70 qualifications, ensuring students make "very strong progress."
- Safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed."
- Leadership is praised for "relentlessly seeking constant improvement" and supporting staff wellbeing effectively.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure all pupils’ needs are met fully so they "achieve highly, including in national tests and examinations."
- Leaders should "continue to increase rates of attendance," particularly for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs.
Safeguarding
The report states that safeguarding standards are met, noting that leaders have established an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and that "pupils are made safer and feel safe."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 38.0 |
| 2024/25 | 39.0 |
| 2025/26 | 35.2 |
| 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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