Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary
Ringwould Road, Deal, CT14 8DW
Age range
10 to 19
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
29
Headteacher
Sarah Appleby & Kevin Dunk
Type
Specialist
Ofsted
Good
Local authority
Kent
About Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary
Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary is a mixed special school based in Deal for children aged 10 to 19. It has roughly 29 pupils on roll. It is a maintained school within the Kent local authority area. The headteacher is Sarah Appleby & Kevin Dunk.
Inspection at a glance
Ofsted rated Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary Good at its inspection on 23 September 2025. The full inspection report is linked from this page so you can read the inspectors' own words.
Getting a place at Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary
Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary 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
Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary is a specialist SEND setting, so every pupil on roll has identified additional needs. Recorded provision: Specialist school. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.
Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary contact details and location
Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary is at Ringwould Road, Deal, Kent, CT14 8DW. The school office can be reached on 01304 381906. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.
Ofsted inspection
Overall effectiveness
Ofsted's most recent visit confirmed the overall rating. It did not re-grade the individual areas.
Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary 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 Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary 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 offerLearning Opportunities Centre Secondary results and attendance
KS2 results
N/A
A-Level results
N/A
Attendance
Not published
Free school meals
N/A
SEND support at Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary
SEND setting
Specialist school
SEND provision
Specialist school
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary 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
Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary?
Places at Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary 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 Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary Good at its inspection on 23 September 2025. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
What SEND support does Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary offer?
Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary is recorded as a specialist school. The school's SEN information report has the current detail and is linked in the SEND section of this page.
What are Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary's term dates and INSET days?
Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary 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 Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary and how do I contact the school?
Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary is at Ringwould Road, Deal, Kent, CT14 8DW. The office number is 01304 381906. A map and directions are on this page.
How big is Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary and what ages does it take?
Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary has around 29 pupils on roll and covers ages 10 to 19. 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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Get my profile builtSchools near Learning Opportunities Centre Secondary
The closest schools to CT14 8DW, measured from each school's own location.
Deal · Specialist · 1.1 miles
Ripplevale School
Dover · Specialist · 2.2 miles
Portal House School
Deal · Independent · 2.5 miles
Brewood Secondary School
Temple Ewell · Independent · 5.2 miles
The Sallygate School
Sandwich · Independent · 5.9 miles
The Davenport School
Dover · Specialist · 6.0 miles
Elms School
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