The Abbey School
London Road, Faversham, ME13 8RZ
Pupils
1110
Ages
11 to 19
Gender
Mixed
Age range
11 to 19
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
1110
Headteacher
Dr Rowland Speller
Type
Secondary
Ofsted
Inadequate
Local authority
Kent
Academy
Yes
Sixth form
Yes
About The Abbey School
The Abbey School is a secondary school in Faversham for children aged 11 to 19, teaching boys and girls. Around 1110 pupils are 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 Dr Rowland Speller.
Inspection at a glance
Ofsted rated The Abbey School Inadequate at its inspection on 13 January 2026. The full inspection report is linked from this page so you can read the inspectors' own words.
How the school is performing
Around 33.7% 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 Abbey School
You apply for a place at The Abbey 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
The Abbey School is described in the published data as a mainstream school with resourced provision. Named areas of need it supports include Autism. Recorded provision: Resourced provision: resourced provision capacity 44; ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.
The Abbey School contact details and location
The Abbey School is at London Road, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8RZ. The school office can be reached on 01795 532633. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.
Ofsted inspection
Overall effectiveness
Last inspection: 11/05/2022
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 Abbey School admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
The Abbey 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.
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 The Abbey 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 Abbey School results and attendance
KS2 results
N/A
A-Level results
Not published
Attendance
Not published
Free school meals
SEND support at The Abbey School
SEND setting
Mainstream school with resourced provision
SEND provision
Resourced provision: resourced provision capacity 44; ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Specialisms
- Autism
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at The Abbey School
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
The Abbey 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 Abbey School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at The Abbey School?
Apply through Kent on the secondary common application form by 31 October, naming The Abbey School as one of your preferences. Offers are made on National Offer Day on 1 March.
What is The Abbey School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated The Abbey School Inadequate at its inspection on 13 January 2026. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
What SEND support does The Abbey School offer?
The Abbey School is recorded as a mainstream school with resourced provision. Named areas of need include Autism. The school's SEN information report has the current detail and is linked in the SEND section of this page.
What are The Abbey School's term dates and INSET days?
The Abbey 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 Abbey School and how do I contact the school?
The Abbey School is at London Road, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8RZ. The office number is 01795 532633. A map and directions are on this page.
How big is The Abbey School and what ages does it take?
The Abbey School has around 1110 pupils on roll and covers ages 11 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 The Abbey School
The closest schools to ME13 8RZ, measured from each school's own location.
Faversham · Grammar · 0.9 miles
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School
Sittingbourne · Secondary · 5.9 miles
The Sittingbourne School
Sittingbourne · Independent · 6.4 miles
VTC Independent School
Sittingbourne · Grammar · 6.7 miles
Highsted Grammar School
Sittingbourne · Secondary · 6.7 miles
Fulston Manor School
Sittingbourne · Grammar · 6.9 miles
Borden Grammar School
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