The Archbishop's School
St Stephen's Hill, Canterbury, CT2 7AP
Pupils
791
Ages
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
791
Headteacher
Mr David Elliott
Type
Secondary
Ofsted
Good
Faith
Church of England
Local authority
Kent
Sixth form
Yes
About The Archbishop's School
The Archbishop's School is a mixed secondary school based in Canterbury for children aged 11 to 18. It has roughly 791 pupils on roll. It has a Church of England religious character. It is a maintained school within the Kent local authority area. There is a sixth form on site, so students can stay on for post-16 study. Mr David Elliott leads the school.
Inspection at a glance
At its most recent Ofsted inspection on 22 November 2023, The Archbishop's School was judged Good. 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 D+ (2024/25). Overall absence stands at 15.3%, which is attendance of about 84.7% (2024/25). Around 56.6% 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 The Archbishop's School
You apply for a place at The Archbishop's School on the secondary common application form through Kent, with the national deadline of 31 October. Where there are more applications than places, the school's published oversubscription criteria decide who is offered a place, typically starting with looked-after children and siblings. 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
The Archbishop's School is described in the published data as a mainstream school with resourced provision. Named areas of need it supports include Specific learning difficulties. Recorded provision: Resourced provision: resourced provision capacity 10; SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.
The Archbishop's School contact details and location
You will find The Archbishop's School at St Stephen's Hill, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7AP. The school office can be reached on 01227 765805. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.
Ofsted inspection
Overall effectiveness
Last inspection: 22/11/2023
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
The Archbishop's School admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
The Archbishop's School does not run its own entrance test. Places are allocated by Kent County Council using published oversubscription criteria. Oversubscription criteria usually cover looked-after children, siblings, distance from the school, and (for faith schools) faith criteria. As a Church of England 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? Apply directly through Kent County Council's in-year admissions team, or in some cases direct to the school.
Didn't get a place? You can appeal
If The Archbishop's 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 offerThe Archbishop's School results and attendance
KS2 results
N/A
A-Level results
Average grade · 2024/25
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at The Archbishop's School
SEND setting
Mainstream school with resourced provision
SEND provision
Resourced provision: resourced provision capacity 10; SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
Specialisms
- Specific learning difficulties
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at The Archbishop's School
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
The Archbishop's 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
The Archbishop's School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at The Archbishop's School?
Apply through Kent on the secondary common application form by 31 October, naming The Archbishop's School as one of your preferences. Offers are made on National Offer Day on 1 March.
What is The Archbishop's School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated The Archbishop's School Good at its inspection on 22 November 2023. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
How big is The Archbishop's School and what ages does it take?
The Archbishop's School has around 791 pupils on roll and covers ages 11 to 18. It is a mixed school taking boys and girls.
What SEND support does The Archbishop's School offer?
The Archbishop's School is recorded as a mainstream school with resourced provision. Named areas of need include Specific learning difficulties. The school's SEN information report has the current detail and is linked in the SEND section of this page.
What are The Archbishop's School's term dates and INSET days?
The Archbishop's 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 The Archbishop's School and how do I contact the school?
The Archbishop's School is at St Stephen's Hill, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7AP. The office number is 01227 765805. A map and directions are on this page.
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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Get my profile builtSchools near The Archbishop's School
The closest schools to CT2 7AP, measured from each school's own location.
Canterbury · Independent · 0.7 miles
St Edmunds School Canterbury
Canterbury · Independent · 0.8 miles
Kent College (Canterbury)
Canterbury · Independent · 0.8 miles
Kent College International Studies Centre
Canterbury · Independent · 1.0 miles
The King's School Canterbury
Canterbury · Secondary · 1.2 miles
The Canterbury Academy
Canterbury · Grammar · 1.4 miles
Barton Court Grammar School
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