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Orchards Academy

Academy converter · Swanley · BR8 7TE

Ages 11–18 · 554 pupils · Kent

School website

Ofsted

Not judged

Attainment 8

40.9

Overall absence

9.4%

Admissions demand

0.77 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Not judged

Inspection date

2025-03-11

Overall effectiveness
Not judged
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8+0.03
−20+2
Attainment 840.9
English & maths grade 5+28%
English & maths grade 4+59%
EBacc entry1%

EBacc APS: 3.2

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence9.4%
Persistent absence (10%+)34.0%
Unauthorised7.7%
Authorised absence
1.8%
Severe absence (50%+)
3.2%
Enrolments in measure
603

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.77 · Often has places

1st preferences

86

Places offered

112

1st-preference offers

81

Total preferences (any rank)
168
Preferred offers (top 3)
112
Applications from outside LA
11
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill67%

554 pupils · 828 places

Pupils on roll
554
Boys / girls
281 / 273
School capacity
828
Capacity fill
554 / 828 (67%)
Free school meals
42.9%
FSM pupils
237
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: THE KEMNAL ACADEMIES TRUST
Academy trust
THE KEMNAL ACADEMIES TRUST
Sponsor
The Kemnal Academies Trust
Headteacher
Mrs Hannah Carter

Location

Address
St Mary's Road
Postcode
BR8 7TE
Town
Swanley
County
Kent
Local authority
Kent
District
Sevenoaks
Constituency
Sevenoaks
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

SEN & specialist provision

As recorded in GIAS — provision detail, not an Ofsted judgement.

SEN types
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Special classes
No Special Classes
Resourced provision
Resourced provision
Resourced places
6 on roll / 12 capacity

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Swanley, Kent, 554 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 42.9%. SEN provision includes: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Open schools in Swanley
10
Secondary schools in Swanley
1
Academies among open schools in Swanley
40% (4)
Open schools in BR8
12
Secondary in BR8
1
Open schools in Kent LA
713
Secondary in Kent LA
100

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in SwanleyNear BR8

  • Leigh Academy Wilmington

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Wilmington · DA2 7DR · Kent

    Ages 11–19

    • Att845.8
    • P80.2
    • EM5+44%
    • Absence8.4%

    2.4 miles away

  • Wilmington Grammar School for Boys

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Dartford · DA2 7DA · Kent

    Ages 11–18

    • Att866.5
    • P80.7
    • EM5+93%
    • Absence5.6%

    2.5 miles away

  • Harris Academy Orpington

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    BR5 4LG · Bromley

    Ages 11–18

    • Att843.0
    • P80.1
    • EM5+35%
    • Absence8.9%

    2.8 miles away

  • Kemnal Technology College

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Sidcup · DA14 5AA · Bromley

    Ages 11–18

    • Att832.0
    • P8-0.9
    • EM5+16%
    • Absence14.4%

    2.8 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Hannah Carter
Telephone
01322665231
Website
http://www.orchards-tkat.org

Official links