The Orchard School
Cambridge Road, Canterbury, CT1 3QQ
Ofsted report card
Needs attention overall
New Nov 2025 system · 6 areas rated · See below
See the Ofsted ratingsPupils
110
Ages
7 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Age range
7 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
110
Headteacher
Mr Alistair Hammond
Type
Specialist
Ofsted
Rated across 6 areas
Local authority
Kent
About The Orchard School
The Orchard School is a mixed special school based in Canterbury for children aged 7 to 16. It has roughly 110 pupils on roll. It is a maintained school within the Kent local authority area. Mr Alistair Hammond leads the school.
Inspection at a glance
At its most recent Ofsted inspection on 3 February 2026, The Orchard 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
Overall absence stands at 26.4%, which is attendance of about 73.6% (2024/25). Around 73.1% 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 Orchard School
The Orchard School is a special school, so places are arranged through the education, health and care plan process rather than the normal application round. Kent names the school in a child's EHCP after consulting it. 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 Orchard School is a specialist SEND setting, so every pupil on roll has identified additional needs. Named areas of need it supports include Autism, Speech, language and communication, Social, emotional and mental health. Recorded provision: Specialist school: SLCN - Speech, language and Communication; ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder; SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.
The Orchard School contact details and location
You will find The Orchard School at Cambridge Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3QQ. The school office can be reached on 01227 769220. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.
Ofsted inspection
Leadership & Governance
How well the school is led and overseen
Curriculum & Teaching
What pupils are taught and how well
Achievement
How well pupils do in their learning
Attendance & Behaviour
How pupils behave and how often they attend
Personal Development & Wellbeing
Support for pupils' wider growth and wellbeing
Inclusion
How well the school supports every pupil, including those with extra needs
Based on the Ofsted inspection of 03/02/2026.
The Orchard School admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
The Orchard 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.
Official links
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 (autumn term before Reception)
Complete the Primary Common Application Form on the Kent County Council website by mid-January - for September 2026 entry the window ran from Friday 7 November 2025 to Thursday 15 January 2026, and offers were emailed on Thursday 16 April 2026.
2. National Offer Day (mid-April)
You'll be told your allocated school by email - for 2026 entry KCC emailed offers on Thursday 16 April 2026 after 4pm, with offers visible online from 5pm.
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.
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 Orchard 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 Orchard School results and attendance
KS2 results
A-Level results
N/A
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at The Orchard School
SEND setting
Specialist school
SEND provision
Specialist school: SLCN - Speech, language and Communication; ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder; SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Specialisms
- Autism
- Speech
- language and communication
- Social
- emotional and mental health
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at The Orchard School
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
The Orchard 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 Orchard School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at The Orchard School?
Places at The Orchard School are arranged through the education, health and care plan (EHCP) process. Ask your SEN casework team at Kent to consult the school as part of your child's plan.
What is The Orchard School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated The Orchard School Good at its inspection on 3 February 2026. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
How big is The Orchard School and what ages does it take?
The Orchard School has around 110 pupils on roll and covers ages 7 to 16. It is a mixed school taking boys and girls.
What SEND support does The Orchard School offer?
The Orchard School is recorded as a specialist school. Named areas of need include Autism, Speech, language and communication, Social, emotional and mental health. The school's SEN information report has the current detail and is linked in the SEND section of this page.
What are The Orchard School's term dates and INSET days?
The Orchard 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 Orchard School and how do I contact the school?
The Orchard School is at Cambridge Road, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 3QQ. The office number is 01227 769220. 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 Orchard School
The closest schools to CT1 3QQ, measured from each school's own location.
Canterbury · Specialist · 0.1 miles
St Nicholas' School
Canterbury · Independent · 0.5 miles
Haven Nook
Canterbury · Independent · 0.6 miles
Newingate School
Chartham · Independent · 1.1 miles
Hawthorn
Canterbury · Independent · 4.8 miles
Hope View School
Whitstable · Independent · 6.6 miles
ISP School Whitstable
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