St Nicholas' School
Catchment Area, Reviews and Key Information

Primary & Secondary
Post 16
Special school
PUPILS
353
AGES
3 - 19
GENDER
Mixed
TYPE
Community special school

Can I Get My Child Into This School?

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This pupil heat map shows where pupils currently attending the school live.
The concentration of pupils shows likelihood of admission based on distance criteria

Source: All attending pupils National School Census Data, ONS
03000 41 21 21

This School Guide heat map has been plotted using official pupil data taken from the last School Census collected by the Department for Education. It is a visualisation of where pupils lived at the time of the annual School Census.

Our heat maps use groups of postcodes, not individual postcodes, and have naturally soft edges. All pupils are included in the mapping (i.e. children with siblings already at the school, high priority pupils and selective and/or religious admissions) but we may have removed statistical ‘outliers’ with more remote postcodes that do not reflect majority admissions.

For some schools, the heat map may be a useful indicator of the catchment area but our heat maps are not the same as catchment area maps. Catchment area maps, published by the school or local authority, are based on geographical admissions criteria and show actual cut-off distances and pre-defined catchment areas for a single admission year.

This information is provided as a guide only. The criteria in which schools use to allocate places in the event that they are oversubscribed can and do vary between schools and over time. These criteria can include distance from the school and sometimes specific catchment areas but can also include, amongst others, priority for siblings, children of a particular faith or specific feeder schools. Living in an area where children have previously attended a school does not guarantee admission to the school in future years. Always check with the school’s own admission authority for the current admission arrangements.

3 steps to help parents gather catchment information for a school:

  1. Look at our school catchment area guide for more information on heat maps. They give a useful indicator of the general areas that admit pupils to the school. This visualisation is based on all attending pupils present at the time of the annual School Census.
  2. Use the link to the Local Authority Contact (above) to find catchment area information based on a single admission year. This is very important if you are considering applying to a school.
  3. On each school page, use the link to visit the school website and find information on individual school admissions criteria. Geographical criteria are only applied after pupils have been admitted on higher priority criteria such as Looked After Children, SEN, siblings, etc.

How Does The School Perform?

Good
NATIONAL AVG. 2.09
Ofsted Inspection
(06/02/2024)
Full Report - All Reports

Special schools provide a unique and distinctive educational environment to meet the needs of the pupils in their community. Undertaking standard tests may not be appropriate and we do not show performance data for special schools.

View exam results via the link below and contact the school to ask about measuring pupil progress.

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98%
NATIONAL AVG. 93%
Happiness Rating

Ofsted Parent View

6.8:1
NATIONAL AVG. 19.9:1
Pupil/Teacher ratio
40.7%
NATIONAL AVG. 17.7%
Persistent Absence
8.8%
NATIONAL AVG. 22.0%
Pupils first language
not English
45.6%
NATIONAL AVG. 25.9%
Free school meals
Holm Oak Close
Nunnery Fields
Canterbury
CT1 3JJ
01227464316

School Description

The leadership team has maintained the good quality of education in the school since the last inspection. You and other leaders provide pupils with a calm, friendly and supportive environment in which to learn. Pupils are happy and well behaved, and enjoy school, with one stating, ‘School is perfect.’ Pupils are engaged in lessons and proud of their work. You and other leaders are passionate about striving to improve the outcomes and life chances for all pupils. Along with senior leaders, you ensure that all pupils continue to make good progress. Your staff have strong knowledge of the individual needs of pupils, and are committed to promoting their well-being and independence skills. You are reflective and have an accurate view of the effectiveness of your school. You have successfully introduced new strategies which have addressed the areas for improvement from the last inspection. You have identified aspects of the school’s provision that could be better and, along with other leaders, have plans in place to develop these swiftly. You recognise that the request from some parents for improved communication between school and home is a priority for you and other leaders. Governors are insightful and well informed, and know the school very well. They visit regularly and have high expectations for all pupils. The monitoring of safeguarding practice forms an important part of governors’ visits. Parents and carers are largely very positive about the school, with one parent stating: ‘The individuality of each pupil is acknowledged and very complex needs met in a kind and respectful manner.’ Safeguarding is effective. Leaders have ensured that all safeguarding arrangements in the school are fit for purpose. Records are detailed and thorough and you and your team all have a clear understanding of safeguarding procedures. You have effective communication systems within school, including between the different sites, and with outside agencies. These systems, along with the in-depth knowledge your staff have of pupils, ensure that any concerns are noticed and acted upon as soon as possible so that pupils remain safe. This is a caring school. Trusting, understanding relationships between staff and pupils result in pupils feeling safe and secure. They are taught how to keep themselves safe, including when online. Inspection findings Pupils make very good progress during their time at the school. You encourage and support pupils to aim high. As a result, in addition to academic progress, pupils make very good progress with their behaviour, independence and physical development. You make sure that lessons are motivating and designed to meet the individual needs of pupils, and that routines and expectations of pupils are clear. This enables them to understand their work, enjoy their learning and find the curriculum fun and engaging. Satellite provision in local schools provides pupils with invaluable social inclusion opportunities which allow them to thrive. Pupils are given many opportunities to practise and develop their functional literacy and numeracy skills throughout the day. For example, pupils in a cookery lesson had used their numeracy skills to work out the cost of the dish they were making. Students in a sixth-form enterprise lesson were learning to use money in a variety of appropriate ways. Phonics teaching is engaging and at an appropriate level for each pupil, helping all to make good progress with their reading and writing. You, along with other leaders and governors, regularly review all aspects of the school’s provision. The safety and welfare of pupils are your first priority. You have put in place effective new strategies and procedures to ensure that each pupil is secure and safe in school. Leaders are highly skilled and knowledgeable, and continually look for ways to further improve the school. You have listened to the views of parents and recognise that communication between school and pupils’ families could be better. Your family support team has already had a positive impact but you understand that there is still work to do in this area.

St Nicholas' School Parent Reviews



95% Parents Recommend This School
Strongly Agree 83% Agree 15% Disagree 2% Strongly Disagree 0% Don't Know 0% {"strongly_agree"=>83, "agree"=>15, "disagree"=>2, "strongly_disagree"=>0, "dont_know"=>0} Figures based on 41 responses up to 08-02-2024
Strongly Agree 71% Agree 22% Disagree 5% Strongly Disagree 0% Don't Know 2% {"strongly_agree"=>71, "agree"=>22, "disagree"=>5, "strongly_disagree"=>0, "dont_know"=>2} Figures based on 41 responses up to 08-02-2024
Strongly Agree 46% Agree 41% Disagree 5% Strongly Disagree 0% Don't Know 7% {"strongly_agree"=>46, "agree"=>41, "disagree"=>5, "strongly_disagree"=>0, "dont_know"=>7} Figures based on 41 responses up to 08-02-2024
My Child Has Not Been Bullied 76% Strongly Agree 7% Agree 5% Disagree 7% Strongly Disagree 0% Don't Know 5% {"my_child_has_not_been_bullied"=>76, "strongly_agree"=>7, "agree"=>5, "disagree"=>7, "strongly_disagree"=>0, "dont_know"=>5} Figures based on 41 responses up to 08-02-2024
Strongly Agree 61% Agree 29% Disagree 10% Strongly Disagree 0% Don't Know 0% {"strongly_agree"=>61, "agree"=>29, "disagree"=>10, "strongly_disagree"=>0, "dont_know"=>0} Figures based on 41 responses up to 08-02-2024
I Have Not Raised Any Concerns 22% Strongly Agree 51% Agree 20% Disagree 7% Strongly Disagree 0% Don't Know 0% {"i_have_not_raised_any_concerns"=>22, "strongly_agree"=>51, "agree"=>20, "disagree"=>7, "strongly_disagree"=>0, "dont_know"=>0} Figures based on 41 responses up to 08-02-2024
Strongly Agree 78% Agree 17% Disagree 5% Strongly Disagree 0% Don't Know 0% {"strongly_agree"=>78, "agree"=>17, "disagree"=>5, "strongly_disagree"=>0, "dont_know"=>0} Figures based on 41 responses up to 08-02-2024
Strongly Agree 54% Agree 27% Disagree 10% Strongly Disagree 2% Don't Know 7% {"strongly_agree"=>54, "agree"=>27, "disagree"=>10, "strongly_disagree"=>2, "dont_know"=>7} Figures based on 41 responses up to 08-02-2024
Strongly Agree 63% Agree 32% Disagree 5% Strongly Disagree 0% Don't Know 0% {"strongly_agree"=>63, "agree"=>32, "disagree"=>5, "strongly_disagree"=>0, "dont_know"=>0} Figures based on 41 responses up to 08-02-2024
Strongly Agree 66% Agree 29% Disagree 5% Strongly Disagree 0% Don't Know 0% {"strongly_agree"=>66, "agree"=>29, "disagree"=>5, "strongly_disagree"=>0, "dont_know"=>0} Figures based on 41 responses up to 08-02-2024
Strongly Agree 59% Agree 27% Disagree 5% Strongly Disagree 5% Don't Know 5% {"strongly_agree"=>59, "agree"=>27, "disagree"=>5, "strongly_disagree"=>5, "dont_know"=>5} Figures based on 41 responses up to 08-02-2024
Strongly Agree 39% Agree 24% Disagree 5% Strongly Disagree 10% Don't Know 22% {"strongly_agree"=>39, "agree"=>24, "disagree"=>5, "strongly_disagree"=>10, "dont_know"=>22} Figures based on 41 responses up to 08-02-2024
Strongly Agree 66% Agree 27% Disagree 2% Strongly Disagree 2% Don't Know 2% {"strongly_agree"=>66, "agree"=>27, "disagree"=>2, "strongly_disagree"=>2, "dont_know"=>2} Figures based on 41 responses up to 08-02-2024
Yes 95% No 5% {"yes"=>95, "no"=>5} Figures based on 41 responses up to 08-02-2024

Responses taken from Ofsted Parent View

Your rating:
Review guidelines
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  • Do back up your opinion with examples or clear reasons but, remember, it’s your opinion not fact.
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  • Don't go in to detail about specific staff or pupils. Individual complaints should be directed to the school.
  • Do go to the relevant authority is you have concerns about a serious issue such as bullying, drug abuse or bad management.
Read the full review guidelines and where to find help if you have serious concerns about a school.
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