Barton Manor School, Canterbury

In its own words: "Barton Manor School will provide a state-of-the-art learning environment combining an innovative academic and technical curriculum with strong pastoral care and guidance, which will deliver an outstanding educational offer for the local community for generations to come."

From the headteacher's welcome: "The School's amazing state-of-the art design is open to Year 7 to Year 11 with 750 students: 150 in each year group. The School's culture and ethos have been embedded and are a real strength, this is combined with an innovative curriculum, excellent teaching and learning, and strong pastoral care and guidance."

Coming up: an open day on Monday 9 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

For September 2026 entry, 147 families put Barton Manor School as their first choice and 654 named it as one of their preferences, for 147 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. 43 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Barton Manor School are Barton Court Grammar School (0.4 miles, Good, selective, Attainment 8 66.1); Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School (0.6 miles, Good, selective, Attainment 8 66); St Anselm's Catholic School, Canterbury (0.8 miles, Good, Attainment 8 45); and Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys (1.1 miles, Outstanding, selective, Attainment 8 69.4).

Barton Manor School is one of 3 schools run by Barton Court Academy Trust, an academy trust.

136 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Barton Manor School (as of September 2025): 79% would recommend the school, 81% say their child is happy there and 74% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (90%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (74%).

41.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 28% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (53%), Black (10%) and Asian (9%).

Barton Manor School had 42 teachers in 2026, one for every 11 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical secondary school, at about one for every 17.

The nearest railway station is Canterbury East Rail Station, about 1 mile away in a straight line.

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Russet Road (opposite), 40 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 455 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Kent (101), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Barton Manor School issued 214 suspensions, 47.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Barton Manor School are Pilgrims' Way Primary School (0.2 miles); St Thomas' Catholic Primary School, Canterbury (0.8 miles); St Johns Church of England Primary School (1 mile); and Parkside Community Foundation Primary School (1.1 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.