St Anselm's Catholic School
Old Dover Road, Canterbury, CT1 3EN
Pupils
1107
Ages
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
1107
Headteacher
Mr J Rowarth
Type
Secondary
Ofsted
Good
Faith
Roman Catholic
Local authority
Kent
Academy
Yes
Sixth form
Yes
About St Anselm's Catholic School
St Anselm's Catholic School is a mixed secondary school based in Canterbury for children aged 11 to 18. It has roughly 1107 pupils on roll. The school has a Roman Catholic character. 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 J Rowarth.
Inspection at a glance
Ofsted rated St Anselm's Catholic School Good at its inspection on 12 September 2023. The full inspection report is linked from this page so you can read the inspectors' own words.
How the school is performing
At A level the published average grade is C (2024/25). Attendance works out at roughly 92.0% (absence 8.0%) (2024/25). Around 21.9% 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 St Anselm's Catholic School
You apply for a place at St Anselm's Catholic 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
St Anselm's Catholic School is described in the published data as a mainstream school with resourced provision. Named areas of need it supports include Autism, Physical disability. Recorded provision: Resourced provision: resourced provision capacity 27; ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder; PD - Physical Disability. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.
St Anselm's Catholic School contact details and location
St Anselm's Catholic School is at Old Dover Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3EN. The school office can be reached on 01227 826200. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.
Ofsted inspection
Overall effectiveness
Last inspection: 12/09/2023
Quality of Education
How well pupils are taught and what they learn
Behaviour and Attitudes
How pupils behave and their attitude to learning
Personal Development
Support for pupils' wider growth and wellbeing
Leadership and Management
How well the school is run
Sixth Form
Quality of post-16 education
St Anselm's Catholic School admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
St Anselm's Catholic School does not run its own entrance test. As an academy, its governing trust is the admissions authority and sets the arrangements within the national Admissions Code, while Kent County Council coordinates applications and offers. Oversubscription criteria usually cover looked-after children, siblings, distance from the school, and (for faith schools) faith criteria. As a Roman Catholic school, faith-based criteria may apply in oversubscription - a supplementary information form is usually required.
Dates and criteria change each year - always confirm with the school and Kent County Council. KCC school admissions →
How to apply
1. Apply on the common application form (September-31 October)
Complete the Secondary Common Application Form on the Kent County Council website. Kent residents can list up to 4 schools in preference order.
2. National Offer Day (1 March)
You'll be told your allocated school by email.
3. Accept and, if needed, appeal
Accept your place by the given date. If you didn't get your preferred school, you have the right to appeal - the school's admissions authority handles this.
4. In-year admissions
Moving mid-year? In-year applications for an academy are usually made direct to the school - check its website for the in-year form, or contact Kent County Council if you need help finding a place.
Didn't get a place? You can appeal
If St Anselm's Catholic School is not offered on National Offer Day, you can appeal the decision. The appeal is heard by an independent panel and is free to submit.
How to appeal a school offerSt Anselm's Catholic School results and attendance
KS2 results
N/A
A-Level results
Average grade · 2024/25
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at St Anselm's Catholic School
SEND setting
Mainstream school with resourced provision
SEND provision
Resourced provision: resourced provision capacity 27; ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder; PD - Physical Disability
Specialisms
- Autism
- Physical disability
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at St Anselm's Catholic School
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
St Anselm's Catholic School term dates: Kent standard term dates for 2026/27
These are Kent County Council's standard term dates. Your school may use different dates and INSET days, so check the school's website before making plans.
Autumn 1 · 2026
1 Sep-23 Oct
Autumn 2 · 2026
2 Nov-18 Dec
Spring 1 · 2027
4 Jan-12 Feb
Spring 2 · 2027
22 Feb-25 Mar
Summer 1 · 2027
12 Apr-28 May
Summer 2 · 2027
7 Jun-21 Jul
St Anselm's Catholic School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at St Anselm's Catholic School?
Apply through Kent on the secondary common application form by 31 October, naming St Anselm's Catholic School as one of your preferences. Offers are made on National Offer Day on 1 March.
What is St Anselm's Catholic School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated St Anselm's Catholic School Good at its inspection on 12 September 2023. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
What SEND support does St Anselm's Catholic School offer?
St Anselm's Catholic School is recorded as a mainstream school with resourced provision. Named areas of need include Autism, Physical disability. The school's SEN information report has the current detail and is linked in the SEND section of this page.
What are St Anselm's Catholic School's term dates and INSET days?
St Anselm's Catholic School follows the standard Kent pattern for 2026/27, set out term by term on this page. INSET days are set by the school itself, so confirm them on the school's own calendar.
Where is St Anselm's Catholic School and how do I contact the school?
St Anselm's Catholic School is at Old Dover Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3EN. The office number is 01227 826200. A map and directions are on this page.
How big is St Anselm's Catholic School and what ages does it take?
St Anselm's Catholic School has around 1107 pupils on roll and covers ages 11 to 18. It is a mixed school taking boys and girls.
About this information. Compiled from published sources including the Department for Education, Ofsted and the school's own website. Last reviewed Summer 2026.
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