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Schools in Canterbury.

50 schools in Canterbury, Kent. 6 rated Outstanding by Ofsted. See them on the map, or open any school for admissions, results and contact details.

50 Total
33 Primary
9 Secondary
3 Grammar
11 Independent

About schools in Canterbury

Canterbury has 50 schools listed on Schools in Kent, across every stage of a child's education, from nursery and reception through to sixth form. Families here can choose between 33 primary schools, 9 secondary schools, 3 grammar schools, 11 independent schools and 14 schools with dedicated SEND provision such as a specialist setting, SEN unit or resourced provision, giving parents genuine flexibility whether they are moving to the area or simply weighing up next steps. Many schools in Canterbury publish SEND information. Support varies by school, so check each school's SEND section and speak to the SENCO about your child's needs. Ofsted currently rates 86% of inspected schools in Canterbury as Good or Outstanding, including 6 judged Outstanding.

Local highlights include Adisham CofE Primary School, Blean Primary School and Preston Primary School. You will also find 14 schools with a sixth form, 7 with boarding places and Kent Test grammar options within Canterbury, which is useful if you are planning for the longer term. Use the interactive map to see catchment areas at a glance, filter by phase, or open any school for admissions, results, term dates, contact details and the latest Ofsted or ISI report. Every entry is independent and free to browse.

What parents should know about Canterbury

Canterbury's school landscape is shaped by the cathedral and by three universities. There is an unusually high concentration of church schools, a strong independent sector and well-known selective provision, all inside a compact city. That compactness means families here often have more genuinely walkable options than in bigger, more sprawling Kent towns.

The city also draws pupils in from a wide rural hinterland: Sturry, Bridge, Chartham, Blean and the villages towards Whitstable and Herne Bay. If you live outside the ring road, check the published oversubscription criteria carefully, because faith criteria and distance are weighted differently from school to school.

Primary schools (33)

See all primary schools in Canterbury →

Secondary schools (9)

See all secondary schools in Canterbury →

Grammar schools (3)

See all grammar schools in Canterbury →

Special schools and SEND provision (5)

Independent schools (11)

See all independent schools in Canterbury →

Schools by village near Canterbury

Villages and neighbourhoods in the Canterbury area, with every school we list in each one.

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Parent FAQs

How many schools are there in Canterbury?

There are 50 schools in Canterbury covering 33 primary, 9 secondary, 3 grammar and 11 independent.

Which are the best-rated schools in Canterbury?

Ofsted has judged 6 schools in Canterbury as Outstanding: Adisham CofE Primary School, Blean Primary School, Preston Primary School, Sturry CofE Primary School and Wickhambreaux CofE Primary School. Around 86% of inspected schools are rated Good or Outstanding overall.

Are there grammar schools in Canterbury?

Yes — Canterbury has 3 selective grammar schools (Barton Court Grammar School, Simon Langton Girls Grammar School and Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys). Entry is via the Kent Test, usually taken in Year 6.

How do school catchment areas work in Canterbury?

Kent County Council does not use strict catchment areas for most community schools. Distance from home to the school is one of several oversubscription criteria, alongside siblings, looked-after status and, for faith schools, religious criteria. Always check each school's individual admissions policy.

Can I compare schools in Canterbury side by side?

Yes. Tap "Add to compare" on any school card to line up Ofsted ratings, results, pupil numbers, admissions and facilities on our compare page.

Why are there so many church schools in Canterbury?

Canterbury is the seat of the Church of England, and the diocese has a long history of founding and supporting schools in the city and surrounding villages. Voluntary aided and voluntary controlled church schools set their own admissions criteria, which can include faith-based criteria such as regular worship. Always read the school's own policy rather than assuming the standard council criteria apply.

Is Canterbury a good base for grammar school access?

Canterbury has selective provision within the city and is within reach of grammar schools in east Kent. Entry is through the Kent Test, and passing the test qualifies a child to be considered rather than guaranteeing a place, so it is sensible to have non-selective preferences on your form too.