About the school
The Archbishop’s School is a co-educational Church of England secondary school located on St Stephen’s Hill, on a parkland site on the outskirts of Canterbury, Kent. The school motto, ‘Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve’, reflects its strong Christian character and emphasis on pastoral care.
The Archbishop’s School is a school for students of all abilities and is rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted. It welcomes children of all faiths and none, and the school year is anchored by regular services at Canterbury Cathedral.
Unlike the selective grammar schools in Kent, The Archbishop’s School is non-selective and does not use an entrance test to determine standard Year 7 admission. Places are coordinated by Kent County Council and allocated using distance and faith-based (foundation) criteria, rather than the Kent Test.
School type
Co-Educational C of E (Non-Selective)
Exam date
No entrance test – apply via Kent CC by October 31, 2026
Exam board
N/A (non-selective admissions)
Address
St Stephen’s Hill, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7AP
Age range
11–18 (Years 7–13)
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Admissions information
The Archbishop’s School is a non-selective Church of England school, so Year 7 admission is not based on an entrance test. Here is everything you need to know about the admissions process.
The Archbishop’s School does not select by ability and does not set an 11 plus or entrance test for standard Year 7 entry. Admission is coordinated through Kent County Council’s secondary admissions scheme. Families who also wish to apply to selective Kent grammar schools would separately register their child for the Kent Test (PESE), provided by GL Assessment, which covers English, Mathematics and reasoning.
As a non-selective school, The Archbishop’s School does not require a test for general admission. For families targeting Kent grammar schools alongside it, the Kent Test consists of two multiple-choice papers (each around one hour) covering English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, plus a short writing task that is used only in borderline cases.
There is no separate test registration for The Archbishop’s School. Parents apply through Kent County Council’s Secondary Common Application Form, which is submitted by 31st October 2026. Families applying on faith (foundation) grounds must also complete the school’s Supplementary Information Form (SIF) and return it directly to the school. Those also wishing to sit the Kent Test must register separately with Kent County Council between 1st June and 1st July 2026.
Because admission is non-selective, there is no test result for The Archbishop’s School itself. Secondary school offers are sent to parents on National Offer Day, Monday 1st March 2027. Where the school is oversubscribed, places are allocated using its published criteria.
Key admissions details
The Archbishop’s School has a Published Admission Number of 140 places for Year 7 each year.
The Archbishop’s School does not have a fixed catchment boundary. After higher-priority groups such as looked-after children, siblings and foundation (faith) places are allocated, the remaining open places are offered on the basis of distance from the school, measured in a straight line from the child’s home to the school. The school is regularly oversubscribed, so proximity is an important factor for open places.
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No. The Archbishop’s School is a non-selective, co-educational Church of England secondary school in Canterbury. It does not select pupils by ability or use an 11 plus entrance test for standard Year 7 admission, unlike the selective grammar schools in Kent.
The Archbishop’s School has a Published Admission Number of 140 places for Year 7 each year. The school is popular and regularly oversubscribed, with more applicants than available places.
No. As a non-selective school, The Archbishop’s School does not require an entrance test for general admission. Families who also wish to apply to selective Kent grammar schools would separately register for the Kent Test, but it is not needed for entry to The Archbishop’s School itself.
Places are coordinated by Kent County Council. After looked-after children, siblings and faith-based foundation places are allocated, the remaining open places are offered on the basis of distance from the school, measured in a straight line from the child’s home.
Apply through Kent County Council’s Secondary Common Application Form, which must be submitted by 31st October 2026. Families applying on faith grounds must also complete and return the school’s Supplementary Information Form. Secondary school offers are made on 1st March 2027.
Yes. The Archbishop’s School offers a range of clubs and enrichment opportunities and places strong emphasis on pastoral care, with a vertical house system and dedicated support staff helping students throughout the school day.
Yes, all our tuition is available both in-person at our Edgbaston, Birmingham centre and online via live video sessions. Online tuition gives families across Canterbury and Kent access to our expert tutors without the need to travel. The quality and personalisation of sessions is identical in both formats.
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