Herne Bay High School
Bullockstone Road, Herne Bay, CT6 7NS
Pupils
1545
Ages
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
1545
Headteacher
Mr Jon Boyes
Type
Secondary
Ofsted
Good
Local authority
Kent
Academy
Yes
Sixth form
Yes
About Herne Bay High School
Based in Herne Bay, Herne Bay High School is a secondary school for children aged 11 to 18 and takes boys and girls. The school currently has about 1545 pupils. It is an academy rather than a council-run school, though Kent still coordinates the application process. There is a sixth form on site, so students can stay on for post-16 study. Mr Jon Boyes leads the school.
Inspection at a glance
At its most recent Ofsted inspection on 24 May 2022, Herne Bay High 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 C (2024/25). Overall absence stands at 9.7%, which is attendance of about 90.3% (2024/25). Around 33.3% 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 Herne Bay High School
You apply for a place at Herne Bay High 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
Herne Bay High School is a mainstream school, supporting pupils with SEND alongside their classmates through the graduated approach of assess, plan, do, review. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.
Herne Bay High School contact details and location
You will find Herne Bay High School at Bullockstone Road, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 7NS. The school office can be reached on 01227 361221. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.
Ofsted inspection
Overall effectiveness
Last inspection: 24/05/2022
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
Herne Bay High School admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
Herne Bay High 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 Herne Bay High 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 offerHerne Bay High School results and attendance
KS2 results
N/A
A-Level results
Average grade · 2024/25
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at Herne Bay High School
SEND setting
Mainstream school
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at Herne Bay High School
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
Herne Bay High 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
Herne Bay High School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at Herne Bay High School?
Apply through Kent on the secondary common application form by 31 October, naming Herne Bay High School as one of your preferences. Offers are made on National Offer Day on 1 March.
What is Herne Bay High School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated Herne Bay High School Good at its inspection on 24 May 2022. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
How big is Herne Bay High School and what ages does it take?
Herne Bay High School has around 1545 pupils on roll and covers ages 11 to 18. It is a mixed school taking boys and girls.
What SEND support does Herne Bay High School offer?
Herne Bay High School is recorded as a mainstream school. The school's SEN information report has the current detail and is linked in the SEND section of this page.
What are Herne Bay High School's term dates and INSET days?
Herne Bay High 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 Herne Bay High School and how do I contact the school?
Herne Bay High School is at Bullockstone Road, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 7NS. The office number is 01227 361221. 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 Herne Bay High School
The closest schools to CT6 7NS, measured from each school's own location.
Whitstable · Secondary · 3.3 miles
The Whitstable School
Canterbury · Secondary · 3.7 miles
Spires Academy
Canterbury · Secondary · 5.0 miles
The Archbishop's School
Canterbury · Independent · 5.3 miles
Kent College (Canterbury)
Canterbury · Independent · 5.3 miles
Kent College International Studies Centre
Canterbury · Independent · 5.3 miles
St Edmunds School Canterbury
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