Orion Spires

About Orion Spires

Orion Spires is a mixed state secondary in Canterbury, Kent, that currently serves 667 pupils against a school capacity of 94 — a figure that suggests the school is significantly under-enrolled relative to its physical size. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 70.8%, which is notably high compared with the national average and points to a community with considerable socioeconomic challenges. Despite the low occupancy, the school’s admission information does not indicate oversubscription, and the lack of a competitive entry process means it is likely a straightforward option for families in the area seeking a place. The headteacher is Anna Burden, and the school does not have a religious character. It operates as an 11-16 secondary without a sixth form, though it does have an official sixth form centre on site, which may be used for other purposes or shared provision.

Academically, the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in June 2024 rated it as Requires Improvement overall, a step up from its previous Inadequate rating in 2018. The inspection found personal development to be Good, but behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management, and quality of education all require improvement. Exam results for the 2023/24 academic year paint a stark picture: the school’s Progress 8 score is -2.62, meaning pupils achieve nearly three grades lower per subject than the national average. This places Orion Spires at the very bottom of the Kent local authority, ranked 90th out of 106 schools of the same type, and in the bottom 1% nationally. The Attainment 8 score is just 3.4, and no pupils entered the English Baccalaureate. The local authority average Progress 8 is -0.13, so the school is performing far below its peers in the region.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including a theatre, library, gymnasium, tennis courts, science labs, astro turf, sports hall, chapel, and a sixth form centre. Sports on offer include rowing, cricket, netball, and basketball, while clubs range from choir and chess to Model UN and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. SEND provisions cover moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, and autistic spectrum disorder, making it a potentially suitable choice for families whose children require additional support. Given the low demand and high FSM intake, Orion Spires is likely to appeal to families who prioritise a local, non-selective option with a broad extracurricular offer, but who are prepared for the significant academic challenges reflected in the data.

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