Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #91 in Kent public Top 44% UK

The Sittingbourne School

verifiedData: DfE & Ofsted 2024/25

personMr Nick Smith

corporate_fareSWALE ACADEMIES TRUST

location_onSittingbourne, ME10 4NL

language Visit Website phone 1795472449

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

1,589

trending_up

Attainment 8

34.1

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GCSE Rank

#91 in Kent

#3,064 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

The Sittingbourne School is a Academy sponsor led secondary school in Sittingbourne, serving ages 11-19. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

The Sittingbourne School is an academy sponsor led in Sittingbourne, Kent, admitting pupils aged 11-19. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of SWALE ACADEMIES TRUST. The school has approximately 1,587 pupils on roll, of whom 41% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 34.1, placing the school #91 in Kent and #3,064 of 3,216 nationally. 23.60% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 4.1% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 9 A-level subjects. 18.3% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 6.7% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.25 — 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 16.3:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 2.7 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: Department for Education 2024/25, Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

34.1

Grade 5+ E&M

23.60%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)4.1%

Entering EBacc7.70%

EBacc APS2.71

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.7

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

33.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc9.30%

EBacc APS2.74

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.53

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

36.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc5%

EBacc APS2.85

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.54

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

38.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc8%

EBacc APS3.07

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc9%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.5

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

33.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc33%

EBacc APS2.81

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.1

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

38.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc21%

EBacc APS3.06

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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

85%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)78%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)10%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

90%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)81%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)9%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)84%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

90%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)84%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)10%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

90%

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

Apprenticeships5%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)9%

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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

-0.25

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

D+

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*1.7%

Achieving A*–A6.7%

Achieving A*–B18.3%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate100.0%

A-level subjects offered9

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.03

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate87.50%

2023

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate95.50%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate100.0%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

21 March 2023

Inspection Report

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21 November 2017

Inspection Report

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17 December 2013

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2023-03-21

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2017-11-21

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2013-12-17

None Legacy

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

2.0%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

1.4%(23 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 1,587 pupils. During this period, there were 32 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 2.0%, 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)	1,587	32	2.0%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,603	55	3.4%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,605	53	3.3%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,609	38	2.4%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,621	47	2.9%	8.2%	1
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,580	29	1.8%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,589	52	3.3%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,604	49	3.1%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,550	31	2.0%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,558	23	1.5%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,546	52	3.4%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,490	35	2.3%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,510	8	0.5%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,530	38	2.5%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,422	2	0.1%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,422	28	2.0%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,417	80	5.6%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,349	89	6.6%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,355	47	3.5%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,362	56	4.1%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,272	49	3.9%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,288	23	1.8%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,293	29	2.2%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,203	42	3.5%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,200	87	7.2%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,241	41	3.3%	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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psychology_alt

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 195 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 84 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 42 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 30 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 26 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 11 pupils

Hearing Impairment 9 pupils

Physical Disability 2 pupils

Visual Impairment 1 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.

77.0%Positive

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

29.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree26%

agree41%

disagree21%

strongly disagree8%

don't know5%

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

strongly agree25%

agree37%

disagree26%

strongly disagree9%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree39%

agree20%

disagree17%

strongly disagree10%

don't know1%

not applicable12%

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

yes37%

no63%

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

strongly agree41%

agree19%

disagree10%

strongly disagree26%

dont know3%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree43%

agree35%

disagree12%

strongly disagree5%

don't know5%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree40%

agree39%

disagree12%

strongly disagree6%

don't know3%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree41%

agree42%

disagree10%

strongly disagree6%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree43%

agree46%

disagree5%

strongly disagree3%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree41%

agree48%

disagree5%

strongly disagree1%

don't know6%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree35%

agree34%

disagree18%

strongly disagree7%

don't know6%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes74%

no26%

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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 Kent

Dartford Grammar School

The Judd School

Tonbridge Grammar School

Dartford Grammar School for Girls

Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School

Invicta Grammar School