Special school · Kent

The Orchard School

Special
Ages 7–16
Term dates checked

Term dates

This school's own term dates broadly match Kent council's, so the council's dates are shown here. INSET days can differ, so check the school's calendar for those.

2026/27

2027/28

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Admissions

Places at special schools are usually arranged through an education, health and care (EHC) plan, agreed with the council.

How EHC plans work on GOV.UK

Ofsted inspection

Report card, 3 February 2026. Ofsted now grades each area separately, from exceptional to urgent improvement, with no single overall grade.

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 standards: met.

Read the Ofsted reports

From Ofsted's published inspection data (Open Government Licence). Report cards and older grades use different scales, so they can't be compared directly.

About and location

Type: Special school
Phase: Special
Ages: 7–16
Pupils: 119
Gender: Mixed
Academy trust: Kent Special Educational Needs Trust (KSENT)
Phone: 01227769220
Address: Cambridge Road, Canterbury, CT1 3QQ
Website: orchard-school.com

Official school record, including Ofsted reports

School details from the Department for Education's register of schools (Open Government Licence). Report a correction.