Best secondary schools in Kent (East)

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Best secondary schools in Canterbury

Best secondary schools on the East Kent coast

Best secondary schools in Ashford

East Kent has a mixture of secondary school provision, dictated by the grammar system. The best schools in this area are distributed across the region with 13 grammar schools (eight single sex), four of which have their own admission tests and one which is a ‘super selective’. Each school is very clear on its admission criteria and it’s always recommended to become au fait with these as soon as possible. Across East Kent there don’t tend to be too many quirks in this respect but it’s important to understand whether the grammar sets its own admissions tests (held on a Saturday the weekend following the day of the 11+) and that primary schools will not help children prepare for them. Some grammar schools’ oversubscription policies are now starting to prioritise children from low-income families above distance.

Church schools are more relaxed regarding faith practise, but they aren’t necessarily of the quality expected in other parts of the country and a pecking order remains in oversubscription criteria. It’s worth considering where you would be in their oversubscription criteria and bearing in mind that once there, it is a faith school and sets expectations accordingly (eg RS GSCE compulsory in some). Make sure to read our article on secondary school admissions.

Parents can feel worried by the prospect of a non-selective secondary school but sometimes it pays to look beyond the perceived kudos of grammar schools and assess a non-selective school’s specialisms, pastoral care and progress made. ‘I relaxed once I stopped listening to the noise about certain schools,’ one parent said, ‘Keeping an open mind and scratching the surface was really eye-opening.’ We’re here to help …

Grammar schools in Canterbury

Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys has an excellent reputation for science and is a very popular destination from other schools for sixth form. Traditionally academic it retains the top spot in the area. Always oversubscribed by about 30 per cent, it prioritises those gaining 20 marks above the 11+ pass mark and while it has a nine mile radius for admissions, there is every chance that the places can be filled before reaching that. Barton Court Grammar School is a very good co-ed grammar specialising in languages and with high academic expectations. If you’re looking for a girls’ school, Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School has recently had an impressive new build which is sure to help it gain back the excellent reputation it once enjoyed. If you live in Whitstable or Faversham, Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School offers co-ed grammar education but with mixed academic results.

Secondary schools in Canterbury

It’s not unusual for parents to get their children baptised for a better chance of admission to St Anselms Catholic School (although not absolutely necessary as there are many pupils from other faiths and none). Parking the academics (in the ‘could do better zone’ but with good value added), it’s a well-respected community school with excellent pastoral care. Its tired buildings and facilities will soon be replaced by a new build and it has recently secured funding for an on-site forest school – a rarity in mainstream state secondary schools. Canterbury Academy has great sports facilities and works hard at adding value for its large number of pupils.

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Grammar schools on the East Kent coast

The Folkestone School for Girls and The Harvey Grammar provide the two single sex options in Folkestone. Both heavily oversubscribed; admission is by the ‘Shepway Test’ and the catchment is Folkestone and Hythe.  In the affluent area of Sandwich is the mixed Sir Roger Manwood’s Shool which, whilst not achieving the academic excellence of other grammars, provides a ‘holistic approach’ and is ‘more relaxed’ according to parents. Crossing the Wantsum to the Isle of Thanet is Dane Court Grammar School where the IB is taught instead of A levels in sixth form – a rarity in the state sector - and physical space looks more like a university. It does well for a school with a mixed demographic and is proactive in adjusting its ethos to better serve the students.

Secondary schools on East Kent coast

Due to the popularity and number of the grammar schools, the non-selectives on the East Kent coast struggle to reach equally high academic standards. However, Duke of York's Royal Military School is an interesting option offering boarding (approx. £18,000 per annum) with a unique state education where the students make above average progress and results exceed those of some local grammar schools.

Best primary schools on East Kent coast

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Best nurseries on East Kent coast

Grammar schools in Ashford

Highworth Grammar School for girls is the complete package: nurturing high aspirations and academic standards, whilst retaining a caring community – ‘in a local league of its own’ and the only state secondary in East Kent to feature in some national top school roll calls.

Secondary schools in Ashford