St Anselm's Catholic School, Canterbury
103%
Capacity
1,107
Pupils
4.9x
Demand
About St Anselm's Catholic School, Canterbury
St Anselm's Catholic School, Canterbury is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Canterbury community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,107 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (103% of 1,071 places).
Ofsted has rated St Anselm's Catholic School, Canterbury "Good", the school is led by headteacher J Rowarth, it falls under Kent local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.02 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 42.4. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C. Additionally, ranked 1567th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 4th out of 9 in Canterbury.
St Anselm's Catholic School, Canterbury is a popular choice with families — it received 825 applications for 167 places, making it 4.9x oversubscribed. Of these, 218 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 7 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 4 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Anselm's Catholic School, Canterbury include Library, Art Studios, Swimming Pool, Gymnasium, Music Rooms, Playing Fields, Tennis Courts, Sports Hall, Sixth Form Centre, Astro Turf, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Hockey, Swimming, Cricket, Tennis and 5 more, as well as clubs including Drama, Chess, Coding, Eco Club and 8 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 22.8%, which is close to the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Canterbury, St Anselm's Catholic School, Canterbury is one of the options available in the South East region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Old Dover Road, Canterbury, Canterbury, CT1 3EN |
| Headteacher | J Rowarth |
| Local Authority | Kent |
| Number of Pupils | 1,107 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 22.8% |
| School Capacity | 1,107 / 1,071 (103% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
12 Sept 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 11 Oct 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.02)
1567th of 3,141
Nationally
244th of 461
In South East
4th of 9
In Canterbury
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make similar progress to students nationally with the same starting point
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
35.9
'22/23
28.2
'23/24
28.8
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Resourced ProvisionSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
11Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
21Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed167
825
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
218 families put this school as their 1st choice (26% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Anselm's Catholic School, Canterbury
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Old Dover Road, Canterbury
Canterbury, CT1 3EN
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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