When the original buildings that housed this school were destroyed in the Baedecker Blitz of 1942, the phoenix that rose from the rubble in 1950 was designed by Sir Hugh Wilson, a visionary architect whose modernist glass and concrete structure became a beacon for girls' education in postwar Kent. Today, after a £20 million transformation in 2021 that replaced those 1950s structures with a contemporary teaching complex, Simon Langton Girls' Grammar stands as a selective girls' school of genuine academic distinction, where tradition and innovation coexist. The school occupies a 14-acre campus on the edge of Canterbury, with a current roll of 1,256 students. In September 2023, Ofsted's inspection confirmed the school's Good rating whilst suggesting evidence that an Outstanding grade might follow. The academic record speaks for itself: the school ranks 471st in England for GCSE performance (top 10%, FindMySchool ranking), placing it well above the England average. At A-level, 61% of students achieve grades A*-B, reflecting strong progression through to sixth form. Entry is highly competitive, with 2.6 applications per available place at Year 7.
The first thing visitors notice at Simon Langton is the unmistakable sense of community. Sixth-form students describe feeling genuine pride in their role as mentors and prefects, not as ceremonial positions but as active participants in school culture. The 2023 Ofsted report noted that "there is an exceptionally strong sense of community and connection evident at Simon Langton Girls' Grammar" with pupils contributing meaningfully to a "happy and successful school." Behaviour is calm and purposeful; at breaks and lunchtimes, students move between spaces without the frenetic chaos typical of many busy secondaries.
The physical environment reflects the school's ambitions. The 2021 building programme introduced 46 new teaching spaces, including specialist science laboratories, a dedicated drama studio, design engineering workshops, and a food technology kitchen. The new sports hall with dual-purpose games courts serves netball, basketball, tennis, and hockey. Yet the campus retains significant green space, bordered by steep grassy hills and mature trees that define the site's character. The original 1950 pavilion remains, a reminder of the school's continuous presence in Canterbury.
Leadership under Headteacher Paul Pollard (appointed January 2021) emphasises consultation and staff wellbeing. Teachers speak of being encouraged to try new approaches while workload and mental health are actively managed. This leadership philosophy extends to pupils; the school operates on a principle that students should feel genuinely empowered to establish clubs and societies driven by their own interests rather than administrative templates.
In 2024, the school's Attainment 8 score was 66.9, significantly above the England average of 45.9. The Progress 8 score of +0.43 indicates pupils make above-average progress from their starting points, a measure of the school's impact on learning regardless of intake ability. With 36% achieving grades 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate, the school demonstrates strength across the curriculum breadth rather than narrow specialism.
The school ranks 471st in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 10% and 2nd among the Canterbury area's secondary schools. This consistent top-tier performance reflects structured teaching, high expectations, and an ambitious curriculum.
At A-level, 61% of students achieved grades A*-B in 2024, above the England average of 47%. The distribution shows 8% achieving A*, 21% achieving A, and 32% achieving B grades, indicating consistent high performance across the ability range. The school ranks 710th in England for A-level results (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the middle range but demonstrating solid performance that supports competitive university progression.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
60.52%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The September 2023 Ofsted inspection noted that "the ambitious curriculum planning is brought to life successfully in the classroom." Teachers display strong, expert subject knowledge and use questioning deliberately to push pupils' thinking. Lessons are structured around clear learning progressions; teachers explicitly connect new learning to previous knowledge, though much of this connection emerges from the pupils themselves as they replicate the modelling they have observed.
The curriculum is deliberately ambitious. In modern foreign languages, for instance, pupils study the core languages but can also access the Langton Language Centre, offering Mandarin, Korean, Russian, and Japanese. In sciences, three-separate sciences are standard, not option-based. The school's mathematics specialism (inherited from its 2005 designation as a specialist school in music and ICT, later extended to maths) ensures depth in subject progression.
Curriculum planning is explicitly inclusive. Teachers adapt approaches to support pupils with additional needs both in mainstream classrooms and in the Learning Base, a dedicated hub for students with SEND. The Ofsted report highlighted that "teachers know well how to adapt their approach to support pupils with additional needs."
Quality of Education
N/A
Behaviour & Attitudes
N/A
Personal Development
N/A
Leadership & Management
Good
The sixth form sits at the heart of school life, with 305 students across Years 12 and 13 in a purpose-built facility. Boys are admitted to the sixth form, creating a mixed cohort from external applicants. Ofsted noted that "girls who join in the sixth form quickly settle in" and are "fully included in the life of the school."
In the 2024 cohort, 58% of leavers progressed to university. The school claims that more than half of university applicants secure places at Russell Group or top twenty institutions, with additional students opting for gap years. Oxbridge representation is modest: the school recorded 1 acceptance to Cambridge in recent measurement (from 17 applications), alongside destinations including Durham, Bristol, Exeter, Edinburgh, Birmingham, and Manchester. The school also reports consistent medical school entries; in 2024, 12 Year 13 students secured places at medical school, reflecting the strength of the school's MDV (Medical, Dental, Veterinary) pathway within the IVE (Intellectual Vision and Endeavour) programme.
Twenty-six A-level subjects are offered, including Classical Greek, Russian, History of Art, Further Mathematics, and Physics. Entry requires a minimum of 8 GCSEs at grades 9-5, including grade 6 in the chosen A-level subjects.
The school's extracurricular provision is genuinely extensive and thoughtfully structured. This is the school's longest and most distinctive section, covering the breadth of opportunities.
Music is central to Langton culture. The school operates a multi-ensemble programme including orchestra, chamber ensembles, jazz groups, choir, and smaller specialist groups. The school gained Gold ArtsMark in 2002, 2005, and 2008, affirming excellence in art, music, drama, dance, and textiles. The music block, completed in 1980 after a push by former Headmistress Mary Creighton Bailey (1960-1974), remains a hub for instrumental learning and ensemble rehearsal. More recently, the school-wide Langton Song Writing Competition led to recordings at Canterbury Christchurch University.
Drama is equally prominent. Recent productions include Grease (School Edition) and year-group shows such as Matilda for Year 8. The new 2021 building includes a dedicated drama studio. The school partners with the National Theatre, offering theatre trips and study opportunities for sixth-formers.
The IVE (Intellectual Vision and Endeavour) programme is a standout feature. Beginning in Year 8, it provides curated pathways into distinct career sectors:
Student publications include Young Scientist, The Langton Lioness (student magazine), and Langtonomics (economics bulletin), reflecting the school's culture of student voice and leadership.
The school hosts clubs in coding, robotics, and design technology. The new building's design engineering workshops and computer science suites support hands-on learning. The school previously held dual specialism status in science and mathematics, and whilst no longer formally designated, this legacy remains evident in curriculum depth and facilities investment.
The Langton Language Centre extends beyond the formal curriculum. Alongside compulsory French, German, or Spanish, students can pursue Mandarin, Korean, Russian, and Japanese. The school celebrated World Cultural Day with visits from international embassies, embodying its International School Award (gained 2010) through active global engagement.
Sports facilities include a large playing field, netball/tennis courts, and the new sports hall with two mixed-use games courts compliant with Sports England standards. The school offers football, hockey, basketball, netball, badminton, tennis, volleyball, and cricket. Sixth-formers lead Year 7 and younger students through structured PE and competitive fixtures. The school lists over 25 sports and music clubs combined.
Sixth-form leadership roles include Head Students, Prefects, and Form Guardians. Student-led societies include:
The school emphasises that students design and lead many of these; they are not administrative boxes but genuine expressions of student interest.
Educational visits are extensive. Recent examples include National Theatre trips for drama students, university partnerships, and international study opportunities. Sixth-formers visit Rowlyn, a residential property, to experience alternative living arrangements as part of their personal development.
Duke of Edinburgh is offered, with Gold awards alongside Bronze and Silver. The EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) is available to Year 12 students, allowing them to research and produce essays, scientific reports, or creative artefacts on topics of their choosing.
Simon Langton operates as a selective grammar school with selective stream and comprehensive stream entry. Around 42 of the 180 Year 7 places available can be allocated based on academic ability through the Kent Procedure for Entrance to Secondary Education (PESE), known locally as the selective stream test.
The 2024 admissions data shows fierce competition: 433 applications for 165 places at Year 7 entry (2.62 applications per place). The school is oversubscribed with the proportion of first-preference applications to first-preference offers standing at 1.13, indicating genuine choice among families within the catchment.
For sixth form entry, external applicants must hold a minimum of 8 GCSEs at grades 9-5, including grade 6 in their chosen A-level subjects. The Published Admission Number for external sixth-form entry is 20 places, though internal progression ensures approximately 180 of the circa 200 Year 12 places remain for current Year 11s. Students apply through Kent Choices by 1 March. A mixed sixth form has been fully integrated since 2010.
The school website should be consulted for specific admissions timelines and the application process for your local authority.
Applications
433
Total received
Places Offered
165
Subscription Rate
2.6x
Apps per place
The Ofsted report noted that pupils feel "well supported to develop good learning habits, healthy relationships and to understand how to look after their mental and physical well-being." Pastoral support is structured by key stage, with a dedicated Pastoral Manager for each stage. Mrs Tranter leads safeguarding as the designated Safeguarding Lead and Senior Assistant Headteacher.
The school employs Place2Be, providing trained counsellors for students needing additional emotional support. The Learning Base offers both academic and pastoral support for students with SEND. Student wellbeing initiatives include induction programmes for Year 7 and sixth-form entrants, teambuilding events, and a peer support system. The school operates a Worry Box for anonymous concerns.
Behaviour expectations are high and consistently enforced. The Ofsted report described behaviour as "especially calm and settled as a result of strong relationships across the school." Lessons are focused, and learning is rarely disrupted.
8:50am to 3:20pm
Limited on-site; the Park and Ride at Old Dover Road provides walking distance access
Canterbury West (mainline services to London St Pancras)
Old Dover Road, Canterbury, on the edge of the city
The school operates term dates aligned to Kent's local authority calendar. Full term dates and a detailed timetable are available on the school website.
Selective entry pressure. Gaining a place requires passing the 11+ exam and living within a reachable distance. Competition is intense, with 2.6 applications per place. Many families invest in tutoring preparation. Parents should verify the school's admissions policy and current procedures with Kent County Council.
Grammar school culture. This is a selective environment where many peers have also passed a competitive entrance exam. The transition from being "top of the primary" to being among intellectual equals can surprise some pupils; the school actively supports this adjustment, but it is a genuine shift.
Sixth form gender mix. Boys join at Year 12 onwards. The main school is girls-only; this is an intentional choice reflecting the school's educational philosophy, though some families prefer co-education throughout.
Admissions timeline. Selection and results occur in October of Year 6, with formal offers in spring. Early registration is strongly advised, as places are competitive and the deadlines firm.
Simon Langton Girls' Grammar represents selective state-funded education at its best. The school combines ambitious academic curricula with a genuine sense of pastoral care and community. The 2023 Ofsted inspection suggested the school is operating at a standard that might justify an Outstanding grade, and the published results support this assessment. Results place the school in the top tier in England; the school culture is purposeful and inclusive; and the breadth of opportunity beyond the classroom is exceptional.
The school is best suited to academically capable girls ready for the rigours of selective entry and the challenge of being among high-achieving peers. For families within the reachable distance, it represents genuine value and educational quality. The main barrier is simply securing one of the limited places available; once enrolled, students access education of high quality with sustained ambition for their futures.
Students use FindMySchool's Local Hub Comparison Tool to view GCSE and A-level performance metrics side-by-side with other Kent schools, helping contextualise these results within your local options.
Yes. The school achieved a Good rating from Ofsted in September 2023, with inspectors suggesting evidence of Outstanding practice. GCSE results place it in the top 10% of schools in England (FindMySchool ranking), and the school consistently sends students to leading universities including Russell Group and Oxbridge institutions. The school's culture emphasises both academic excellence and pupil wellbeing.
Year 7 entry requires sitting the Kent Procedure for Entrance to Secondary Education (PESE) test, typically in October of Year 6. Passing the test does not guarantee a place; further selection criteria apply. Apply through your local authority's secondary admissions system by the stated deadline (usually 31 October). For sixth form external entry, applicants must hold a minimum of 8 GCSEs at grades 9-5 and apply through Kent Choices by 1 March. Parents should verify current procedures with the school directly.
Simon Langton is a state-funded school with no tuition fees. However, families should budget for uniform, trips, music lessons (if pursued), and other incidental costs. Lunch is available from the school dining facilities at a per-meal cost.
The school offers 26 A-level subjects including English Literature, History, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Further Mathematics, Classical Greek, Russian, History of Art, Modern Languages (French, German, Spanish), Geography, Economics, Psychology, and others. Full subject details are on the school website.
In recent years, the school has secured limited Oxbridge places relative to total applications. In the most recent full measurement, 1 student secured a Cambridge place from 17 applications. However, the school's real strength lies in Russell Group and top-20 university progression, with approximately 44% of leavers progressing to Russell Group or equivalent elite institutions. This reflects a strong pipeline to competitive universities rather than a specific Oxbridge focus.
Yes. The school holds Gold ArtsMark status and operates a substantial music offering including orchestras, chamber ensembles, choirs, and jazz groups. Instrumental lessons are available; the school encourages ensemble participation. The dedicated music block supports rehearsal and study space. Drama is equally prominent, with regular productions and trips to the National Theatre.
The school motto is Meliora Sequamur, meaning "Let us aim for better things." The school's values emphasise academic excellence, ambition, independence, and resilience. These are embedded in the curriculum and pastoral culture, reflected in student leadership, peer mentoring, and the expectation that students will develop intellectually and personally beyond formal exam requirements.
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