King Ethelbert School

King Ethelbert School is a mixed secondary school based in Birchington for children aged 11 to 18. It has roughly 794 pupils on roll. It is an academy, so its governing trust sets its own admission arrangements within the national code, and Kent coordinates offers. The school has its own sixth form for post-16 study. The headteacher is Mr Tom Sellen.

Inspection at a glance

Ofsted rated King Ethelbert School Good at its inspection on 4 June 2024. The full inspection report is linked from this page so you can read the inspectors' own words.

How the school is performing

Attendance works out at roughly 89.7% (absence 10.3%) (2024/25). Around 40.0% of pupils are eligible for free school meals. Figures come from the Department for Education's published school performance data and are shown in full further down this page.

Getting a place at King Ethelbert School

You apply for a place at King Ethelbert School on the secondary common application form through Kent, with the national deadline of 31 October. If the school is oversubscribed, places are allocated on its published admissions criteria, which usually give priority to looked-after children, siblings and distance from home to school. There is no separate entrance assessment. Always check the current admissions policy on the school's own website before you apply, because criteria can change year to year.

SEND at a glance

King Ethelbert School is a mainstream school, supporting pupils with SEND alongside their classmates through the graduated approach of assess, plan, do, review. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.

King Ethelbert School contact details and location

King Ethelbert School is at Canterbury Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9BL. The school office can be reached on 01843 831999. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.