Orchards Academy
Secondary · Academy converter · Ages 11–18 · Swanley, Kent
Orchards Academy is a secondary school in Swanley, Kent for ages 11–18 (academy converter). Its latest Ofsted outcome is Not judged, from the inspection on 11 March 2025.
Key facts
- Address
- St Mary's Road, Swanley, BR8 7TE
- Type
- Academy converter
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–18
- Sector
- See recorded establishment type
- Admissions policy
- Non-selective
- Council
- Kent
- Pupils on roll
- 554 January 2026 school census
- Free school meals
- 42.8% of pupils eligible
- Pupils per teacher
- 15.4
Official record: Get Information about Schools · as at 15 September 2026
Ofsted
Not judged Inspected 11 March 2025
Strengths
- “The school has high expectations of pupils’ behaviour.”
- “This ensures a calm, orderly environment, free from disruption.”
- “Support from staff helps pupils to feel comfortable and safe at school.”
To improve
- “The school recognises that pupils' attainment in some subjects in key stage 4 national examinations has been lower than national averages.”
- “However, some elements of the curriculum are not so well developed, including aspects of religious education for older pupils.”
- “As a result, older pupils’ knowledge and understanding of different religions, faiths and beliefs is not secure.”
Safeguarding: Effective
Quoted from the Ofsted report published 29 April 2025 (read the report). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.
Exam results
| Measure | School | England |
|---|---|---|
| GCSE English and maths, grade 5 or above (2024/25) | 33% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 score (2024/25) | 41.3 | 46 |
Department for Education school performance data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Applications and offers
- 2026 Year 7 entry: 95 first-preference applications, 139 offers in total, 95 offers to first-preference applicants.
Department for Education, school-level applications and offers, figures on national offer day. Earlier years are in the pass.
More with a 3-month pass
A one-off £9.99 pass, no subscription, unlocks for 3 months:
- Earlier years of applications and offers
- Earlier years of exam results
- Where pupils go after they leave
- Which schools pupils move on to or come from
- Crime, sold prices, broadband and transport around the school
A last distance offered describes one past year and is not a catchment or a promise of a place. Check with the council before you apply.
Nearby secondary schools
Straight-line distance, in Kent.
- Leigh Academy Wilmington 2.4 mi Outstanding
- Wilmington Grammar School for Boys 2.5 mi School remains Good
- Wilmington Grammar School for Girls 2.6 mi Good
- Dartford Science & Technology College 3.5 mi No Ofsted grade
- Dartford Grammar School for Girls 3.6 mi No Ofsted grade
- Dartford Grammar School 3.7 mi Outstanding
- Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy 4.0 mi School remains Good
- Stone Lodge School 4.8 mi Good