St Nicholas' School
Ofsted: School remains GoodCommunity special school
Canterbury · CT1 3JJ · Kent
Ages 4–19
- Att80.0
- EM5+0%
- Absence12.3%
- FSM55.4%
0.1 miles away
OpenOfsted: Needs attentionURN 119058
The Orchard School
Foundation special school · Canterbury · CT1 3QQ
Ages 7–16 · 119 pupils · Kent
Ofsted
Needs attention
Attainment 8
6.9
Overall absence
18.9%
Ofsted
Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.
Headline
Needs attention
Inspection date
2026-02-03
- AchievementNeeds attention
- Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
- InclusionNeeds attention
- Attendance and behaviourNeeds attention
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
- Leadership and governanceNeeds attention
Safeguarding standards: Met
Performance
Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.
Key stage 4 (2023/24)
Progress 8-1.47
−20+2
Attainment 86.9
English & maths grade 5+0%
English & maths grade 4+0%
EBacc entry0%
EBacc APS: 0.6
Key stage 2 (2023/24)
Expected standard (RWM)0%
Higher standard (RWM)0%
Absence
Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.
Overall absence18.9%
Persistent absence (10%+)53.8%
Unauthorised7.0%
- Authorised absence
- 11.9%
- Severe absence (50%+)
- 14.2%
- Enrolments in measure
- 106
Absence trend
2021/22
2022/23
2023/24
- Overall
- Persistent (10%+)
Size & intake
From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).
- Pupils on roll
- 119
- Boys / girls
- 101 / 18
- Free school meals
- 73.1%
- FSM pupils
- 87
- Gender
- Mixed
- School type
- Foundation special school
Age range
Ages 7–16
05111619
Provision
Official GIAS characteristics
1 / 6
- Nursery
- Sixth form
- Boarding
- Special school
- Independent
- Academy
School characteristics
- Governance
- Academy trust: Kent Special Educational Needs Trust (KSENT)
- Academy trust
- Kent Special Educational Needs Trust (KSENT)
- Headteacher
- Mr Alistair Hammond
Location
- Address
- Cambridge Road
- Postcode
- CT1 3QQ
- Town
- Canterbury
- County
- Kent
- Local authority
- Kent
- District
- Canterbury
- Constituency
- Canterbury
- Urban/rural
- Urban: Further from a major town or city
SEN & specialist provision
As recorded in GIAS — provision detail, not an Ofsted judgement.
- SEN types
- SLCN - Speech, language and Communication; ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder; SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Local context
How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.
Mixed foundation special school, Ages 7–16, in Canterbury, Kent, 119 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: special school. Free school meals: 73.1%. SEN provision includes: SLCN - Speech, language and Communication; ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder; SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health.
Nearby schools
Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.
Wincheap Foundation Primary School
Ofsted: School remains GoodFoundation school · Primary
Canterbury · CT1 3SD · Kent
Ages 4–11
- KS256%
- Absence6.5%
- FSM35.4%
- Demand0.98
0.4 miles away
Other independent school
Canterbury · CT1 3LQ · Kent
Ages 13–22
- Att80.9
- EM5+0%
0.7 miles away
Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys
Ofsted: Not judgedFoundation school · Secondary
Canterbury · CT4 7AS · Kent
Ages 11–18
- Att866.0
- P80.3
- EM5+92%
- Absence7.1%
0.7 miles away
St Peter's Methodist Primary School
Ofsted: Standards maintainedVoluntary controlled school · Primary
Canterbury · CT1 2DH · Kent
Ages 4–11
- KS260%
- Absence7.6%
- FSM27.9%
- Demand1.27
0.7 miles away
Barton Court Grammar School
Ofsted: GoodAcademy converter · Secondary
Canterbury · CT1 1PH · Kent
Ages 11–18
- Att866.0
- P80.4
- EM5+84%
- Absence5.5%
0.7 miles away
New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.
Contact
- Headteacher
- Mr Alistair Hammond
- Telephone
- 01227769220