UKSchoolSearch
OpenSecondaryOfsted: GoodURN 135305

Orion Spires

Academy sponsor led · Canterbury · CT2 0HD

Ages 11–16 · 620 pupils · Kent

School website

Ofsted

Good

Attainment 8

35.0

Overall absence

12.9%

Admissions demand

0.83 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2023-01-10

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Requires improvement
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 8-1.12
−20+2
Attainment 835.0
English & maths grade 5+25%
English & maths grade 4+39%
EBacc entry15%

EBacc APS: 3.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence12.9%
Persistent absence (10%+)40.5%
Unauthorised5.4%
Authorised absence
7.5%
Severe absence (50%+)
7.0%
Enrolments in measure
782

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

0.83 · Often has places

1st preferences

96

Places offered

137

1st-preference offers

96

Total preferences (any rank)
304
Preferred offers (top 3)
121
Applications from outside LA
1
Offers to outside-LA applicants
1
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 fill83%

620 pupils · 750 places

Pupils on roll
620
Boys / girls
301 / 319
School capacity
750
Capacity fill
620 / 750 (83%)
Free school meals
43.8%
FSM pupils
271
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy sponsor led

Age range

Ages 11–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: ORION EDUCATION
Academy trust
ORION EDUCATION
Sponsor
Education for the 21st Century
Headteacher
Mr Lee Moors

Location

Address
Bredlands Lane, Sturry
Postcode
CT2 0HD
Town
Canterbury
County
Kent
Local authority
Kent
District
Canterbury
Constituency
Herne Bay and Sandwich
Urban/rural
Urban: Further from a major town or city

Local context

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

Mixed academy sponsor led (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Canterbury, Kent, 620 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 43.8%.

Open schools in Canterbury
54
Secondary schools in Canterbury
8
Academies among open schools in Canterbury
30% (16)
Open schools in CT2
15
Secondary in CT2
3
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 CanterburyNear CT2

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Lee Moors
Telephone
01227710392
Website
http://www.orionspires.org.uk

Official links