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catchment.school

King Ethelbert School Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

King Ethelbert School is an academy converter secondary school in Birchington, Kent , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 794 pupils, and a capacity of 870 places. The school is operating close to capacity, and catchment area boundaries apply when the school is oversubscribed.

11-18

Age range

794

Pupils

870

Capacity

91%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2024

King Ethelbert School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for King Ethelbert School?

The catchment area for King Ethelbert School is the geographic zone Kent uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Kent publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, King Ethelbert School sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Kent. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

Operating near capacity: 91% of places are currently filled. Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

Get an alert if King Ethelbert School goes oversubscribed for 2027 →

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Kent before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Kent catchment area documents →

King Ethelbert School: 870 places, 91% filled: nearing capacity

King Ethelbert School has a published admission number of 870 places. 794 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 91%. The school is operating close to its limit. In years where applications exceed 870, Kent's admissions team applies distance-based tiebreakers. Families within the school's historical catchment boundary are well placed, but a boundary check with the council is recommended before applying.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 32% of pupils at King Ethelbert School are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Kent.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

Kent publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. Find Kent school admissions →

King Ethelbert School: School Information

Full address
Canterbury Road, Birchington, CT7 9BL
Local authority
Kent
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-18 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
32% of pupils
DfE URN
136584

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to King Ethelbert School by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: King Ethelbert School

What is the catchment area for King Ethelbert School?

The catchment area for King Ethelbert School is the geographic zone Kent uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Kent publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is King Ethelbert School oversubscribed?

King Ethelbert School is operating close to its capacity of 870 places (91% full). Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

What is the admissions policy for King Ethelbert School?

Admission to King Ethelbert School is managed by Kent. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does King Ethelbert School cover?

King Ethelbert School is a secondary school in Birchington, Kent, serving pupils aged 11-18. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for King Ethelbert School?

King Ethelbert School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2024. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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