Orchards Academy

Orchards Academy is a secondary school in Swanley for children aged 11 to 18, teaching boys and girls. Around 545 pupils are on roll. It is an academy rather than a council-run school, though Kent still coordinates the application process. Mrs Hannah Carter leads the school.

Inspection at a glance

At its most recent Ofsted inspection on 11 March 2025, Orchards Academy 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 10.1%, which is attendance of about 89.9% (2024/25). Around 42.9% 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 Orchards Academy

You apply for a place at Orchards Academy 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

Orchards Academy 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 12; ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.

Orchards Academy contact details and location

You will find Orchards Academy at St Mary's Road, Swanley, Kent, BR8 7TE. The school office can be reached on 01322 665231. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.