OA Tunbridge Wells, Royal Tunbridge Wells

In its own words: "Find out how children and young people can be offered a place at our academy. A supportive and innovative place to work. Join a team of people who are passionate about removing barriers to learning for children and young people. A pioneering network of alternative provision academies across London and the East of England."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to OA - Tunbridge Wells, an alternative provision academy where students can grow both academically and socially, and where enrichment is an important part of our core curriculum. In 2025 we joined the Olive Academies family, which recognises and respects the potential of every student, supporting them to be the very best they can be."

Across Kent, 79% of families were offered their first-choice secondary school for 2026 entry, and 96% were offered one of the schools they named.

In 2026, families in Kent lodged 2335 appeals against secondary school offers; 1948 reached a hearing and 593 succeeded (30.4% of those heard).

The nearest other state secondary schools to OA Tunbridge Wells are Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys (0.2 miles, Good, selective, Attainment 8 64.5); St Gregory's Catholic School (0.2 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 44.8); Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School (0.3 miles, Outstanding, selective, Attainment 8 72.5); and The Skinners' School (0.4 miles, Good, selective, Attainment 8 72.7).

OA Tunbridge Wells is one of 6 schools run by Olive Academies, an academy trust.

The nearest railway station is High Brooms Rail Station, about 0.8 miles away in a straight line.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is TA Centre (adjacent), 110 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood OA Tunbridge Wells stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 185 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.

The primary schools closest to OA Tunbridge Wells are St Augustine's Catholic Primary School (0.2 miles), St John's Church of England Primary School (0.3 miles), Southborough CofE Primary School (0.6 miles) and St Matthew's High Brooms Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School (0.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.