Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #17 in Bromley public Top 38% UK

Charles Darwin School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Aston Smith

corporate_fareCHARLES DARWIN ACADEMY TRUST

location_onWesterham, TN16 3AU

language Visit Website phone 1959574043

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

1,298

trending_up

Attainment 8

38.9

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GCSE Rank

#17 in Bromley

#2,681 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Charles Darwin School is a Academy converter secondary school in Westerham, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

Charles Darwin School is an academy converter in Westerham, Bromley, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of CHARLES DARWIN ACADEMY TRUST. The school has approximately 1,314 pupils on roll, of whom 25% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 38.9, placing the school #17 in Bromley and #2,681 of 3,216 nationally. 24.40% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 7.9% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 23 A-level subjects. 34.8% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 10.3% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.14 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. The school's current overall rating is Good. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.8× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 16.7:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there was 1 permanent exclusion. The average suspension rate was 3.3 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

38.9

Grade 5+ E&M

24.40%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)7.9%

Entering EBacc18.30%

EBacc APS3.25

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.34

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

42.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc14.70%

EBacc APS3.57

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.19

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc23%

EBacc APS3.94

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.7

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc26%

EBacc APS3.83

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc32%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.2

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc42%

EBacc APS3.98

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.09

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc29%

EBacc APS3.84

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)83%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

91%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)80%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)92%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.14

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*3.6%

Achieving A*–A10.3%

Achieving A*–B34.8%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate93.2%

A-level subjects offered23

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.22

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate96.70%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate91.90%

2022

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Retention rate90.9%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

15 June 2023

Inspection Report

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10 November 2020

Inspection Report

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30 January 2018

Inspection Report

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24 October 2013

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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09 January 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2023-06-15

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2018-01-30

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2013-10-24

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2008-09-17

None EIF

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

3.5%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.5%(33 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,314 pupils. During this period, there were 46 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 3.5%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,314	46	3.5%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,311	40	3.1%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,311	52	4.0%	7.4%	2
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,314	53	4.0%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,316	51	3.9%	8.2%	1
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,281	64	5.0%	6.6%	4
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,298	43	3.3%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,308	36	2.8%	5.9%	2
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,318	44	3.3%	4.7%	3
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,322	55	4.2%	4.9%	1
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,336	44	3.3%	4.4%	3
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,333	32	2.4%	3.6%	1
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,336	10	0.7%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,347	34	2.5%	3.9%	1
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,324	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,324	28	2.1%	3.2%	2
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,328	49	3.7%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,269	24	1.9%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,282	32	2.5%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,294	36	2.8%	3.8%	4
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,283	28	2.2%	3.4%	3
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,296	19	1.5%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,318	26	2.0%	3.7%	4
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,272	20	1.6%	3.0%	2
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,275	21	1.6%	3.3%	1
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,288	20	1.6%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 105 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 62 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 37 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 34 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 30 pupils

Physical Disability 7 pupils

Visual Impairment 4 pupils

Hearing Impairment 2 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 2 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

77.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

84.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

17.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree21%

agree47%

disagree22%

strongly disagree7%

don't know3%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree17%

agree43%

disagree32%

strongly disagree3%

don't know5%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree41%

agree26%

disagree12%

strongly disagree7%

don't know2%

not applicable13%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes21%

no79%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree36%

agree28%

disagree12%

strongly disagree16%

dont know8%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree37%

agree40%

disagree10%

strongly disagree4%

don't know9%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree36%

agree44%

disagree14%

strongly disagree3%

don't know3%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree33%

agree42%

disagree19%

strongly disagree3%

don't know3%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree34%

agree49%

disagree10%

strongly disagree3%

don't know4%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree40%

agree50%

disagree6%

strongly disagree1%

don't know3%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree33%

agree36%

disagree17%

strongly disagree6%

don't know8%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes75%

no25%

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Bromley

St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School

Newstead Wood School

Harris Girls Academy Bromley

Langley Park School for Girls

Bullers Wood School

Hayes School