The Orchard School

Special
Local authority maintained
Ages 7 to 16

Report card: Needs attention to expected standard

Cambridge Road, Canterbury, CT1 3QQOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

The Orchard School is a special school in Canterbury for ages 7 to 16. It is one of the 692 schools in Kent. Its latest Ofsted outcome is a report card, from an inspection in February 2026.

Ofsted report card

Inspected 3 February 2026, report published 26 April 2026

Each area is graded from urgent improvement to exceptional, and safeguarding is either met or not met.

Inclusion: Needs attention
Curriculum and teaching: Needs attention
Achievement: Needs attention
Attendance and behaviour: Needs attention
Personal development and wellbeing: Expected standard
Leadership and governance: Needs attention
Safeguarding: Met

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

9 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 62 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 8 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

13 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score6.6

6.6, 39.5 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths0%

0%, 45.4 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths0%

0%, 64.8 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc0%

0%, 40.5 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score0.67

0.67, 3.42 below the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

119 pupils on roll

Eligible for free school meals73.1%

73.1%, 46.6 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language1.7%

1.7%, 19.9 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support0%

0%, 14.8 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan100%

100%, 94 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near The Orchard School

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
St Nicholas' School	0.1 miles	Ofsted: Good	0% met the expected standard
Haven Nook	0.5 miles	Ofsted: Good	Not published
Newingate School	0.6 miles	Ofsted: Good	Not published
Hawthorn	1 mile	Ofsted: Requires improvement	Not published
Hope View School	5 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 8.8

School details

School type: Foundation special school
Sector: Local authority maintained
Trust: Kent Special Educational Needs Trust (KSENT)
Age range: 7 to 16
Gender: Mixed
Headteacher: Mr Alistair Hammond
Phone: 01227769220
Website: orchard-school.com (opens in a new tab)
Address: Cambridge Road, Canterbury, CT1 3QQ
Local authority: Kent
URN: 119058

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.