The short version
Below-average GCSE results. 88% capacity. Rated Good by Ofsted (2023).
- GCSE results are below the national average (Attainment 8: 35.2 vs national 43.8)
- Rated Good by Ofsted in 2023
- This is a Church of England school, so faith criteria may apply to admissions
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Attainment 8
Average points across 8 GCSE subjects
35.2
8.6 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
21%
20.4pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
14%
A-Level Average
Mean grade across subjects
D+
A-Level Value Added
Progress vs expected
-0.53
Band 4Source: Department for Education Performance Tables 2024-25
Post-GCSE Destinations
These figures track pupils 6 months after leaving. Source: DfE destination measures.
Sustained destination
In education, employment or training
88%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
84%
Apprenticeships
Work combined with training
1%
Employment
Directly into work
3%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
6%
Based on 116 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 29 days per year on average — over a month of school.
42% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
9% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 16 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 10 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 79 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Foundation school
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–18
- Intake
- Mixed
- Character
- Church of England
Numbers
- Pupils
- 791
- Capacity
- 88%
- FSM
- 53.6%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Kent
- Head
- Mr David Elliott (Headteacher)
Provisions
- Sixth form
- Yes
Inspection record
Official linksSchool inspection: Good
11 official reports linked on this page, including 10 earlier reports.
Previous reports
School inspection: Requires Improvement
February 2020 | School Inspection
Full inspection: Good
January 2016 | Full Inspection
Monitoring visit
February 2014 | Monitoring Visit
Full inspection: Requires Improvement
October 2013 | Full Inspection
Full inspection: Satisfactory
February 2012 | Full Inspection
Curriculum and development visit
February 2011 | Curriculum and development visit Curriculum and development visit
Full inspection: Good
February 2009 | Full Inspection
Curriculum and development visit
June 2007 | Curriculum and development visit Curriculum and development visit
Full inspection: Outstanding
October 2005 | Full Inspection
Full inspection
January 2000 | Full Inspection
Location
St Stephens Hill, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7AP
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmSt Stephen's Infant School
Primary · 474m away
Bemix
Special school · 690m away
St Edmund's School Canterbury
Independent · 1.0km away
St Johns Church of England Primary School
Primary · 1.3km away
Kent College (Canterbury)
Independent · 1.3km away
Kent College International Study Centre
Independent · 1.3km away
St Peter's Methodist Primary School
Primary · 1.6km away
The King's School Canterbury
Independent · 1.6km away
Questions parents ask
Is The Archbishop's School a selective school?
No. The Archbishop's School is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
What is The Archbishop's School's Ofsted rating?
The Archbishop's School was rated Good at its most recent inspection in November 2023. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend The Archbishop's School?
The Archbishop's School currently has 791 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does The Archbishop's School take?
The Archbishop's School caters for pupils aged 11 to 18. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is The Archbishop's School?
The Archbishop's School is in Canterbury, CT2 7AP, in the Kent local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
Does The Archbishop's School have a sixth form?
Yes, The Archbishop's School has a sixth form, so pupils can continue to A-levels or equivalent qualifications without changing school.
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