Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 19 May 2026
Compared with the local authority and England
Attainment 8 scores a pupil's best 8 GCSE results, out of about 90. Progress 8 compares those results with pupils who started secondary school at the same level: 0 is average.
| Measure | School | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment 8 score | 28.9 | 46.7 | 46.1 |
Grade 4 is a standard pass; grade 5 is a strong pass.
| Measure | School | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 16% | 47% | 45% |
| Grade 4 or above in English and maths | 34% | 65% | 65% |
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English and maths | 26% | 61% | 60% |
The EBacc is English, maths, science, a language, and history or geography. It is a set of subjects rather than a qualification.
| Measure | School | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering the EBacc | 9% | 47% | 41% |
| EBacc average point score | 2.3 | 4.2 | 4.1 |
Based on 180 pupils at the end of key stage 4.
The Royal Harbour Academy's catchment area comes from its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, which decide who is offered a place when more children apply than there are places. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance from home or a catchment boundary, and the school's admissions policy says which it uses. Living nearby does not guarantee a place, and how far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
The Royal Harbour Academy is in Kent council's area. Check its admissions booklet for how far away places went in recent years. For a Year 7 place, apply through the council where you live by 31 October in your child's Year 6.
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Ofsted’s survey of parents at this school
92%
of parents would recommend this school to another parent
84%
of parents have a positive overall view of the school
83 responses up to 7 September 2026 · 8% response rate
My child is happy at this school.
86% agreeMy child feels safe at this school.
88% agreeThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.
77% agreeMy child has been bullied, and the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.
71% agreeMy child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.
82% agreeOfsted inspected The Royal Harbour Academy on 19 May 2026 using a report card, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade. The school met Ofsted's safeguarding standards. It was graded Expected standard for inclusion, for personal development and wellbeing and for post-16 provision; Needs attention for curriculum and teaching, for leadership and governance and for attendance and behaviour; Urgent improvement for achievement.
Apply through the council where you live by 31 October in your child's Year 6, for a place starting the following September. You apply to your home council even if The Royal Harbour Academy is in another council's area, and can usually list between 3 and 6 schools in order of preference. Offers are sent on 1 March, or the next working day.
The Royal Harbour Academy's catchment area comes from its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, which decide who is offered a place when more children apply than there are places. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance from home or a catchment boundary, and the school's admissions policy says which it uses. Living nearby does not guarantee a place, and how far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
The Royal Harbour Academy had 1,045 pupils aged 11 to 18 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 916. It is a mixed school with a sixth form.