Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #49 in Kent public Top 33% UK

The Charles Dickens School

verifiedData: DfE & Ofsted 2024/25

personMr Warren Smith

corporate_fareBARTON COURT ACADEMY TRUST

location_onBroadstairs, CT10 2RL

language Visit Website phone 1843862988

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

1,111

trending_up

Attainment 8

42.5

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GCSE Rank

#48 in Kent

#2,173 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

The Charles Dickens School is a Academy sponsor led secondary school in Broadstairs, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

The Charles Dickens School is an academy sponsor led in Broadstairs, Kent, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It is part of BARTON COURT ACADEMY TRUST. The school has approximately 1,113 pupils on roll, of whom 43% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 42.5, placing the school #48 in Kent and #2,173 of 3,216 nationally. 28.60% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 9.6% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

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 1.0× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 17.7:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 13.9 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

42.5

Grade 5+ E&M

28.60%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)9.6%

Entering EBacc18.10%

EBacc APS3.42

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.22

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc12.80%

EBacc APS3.46

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.06

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

41.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc8%

EBacc APS3.23

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.13

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc19%

EBacc APS3.53

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc19%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.9

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

34.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc11%

EBacc APS2.58

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.66

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

33.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc1%

EBacc APS2.51

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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

89%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)85%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)11%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

88%

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

ApprenticeshipsSP%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)12%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

90%

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

Apprenticeships3%

Employment7%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)10%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

88%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)82%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)11%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

91%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)85%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)8%

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

28 March 2023

Inspection Report

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25 June 2019

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

3 Evaluations

2023-03-28

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2019-06-25

Academy First Section 5 Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2014-09-17

None Legacy

Inadequate

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Inadequate

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

11.7%per term

warning Above Average

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

6.8%(76 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 1,113 pupils. During this period, there were 130 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 11.7%, which is above 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)	1,113	130	11.7%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,121	181	16.1%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,101	150	13.6%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,118	128	11.4%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,121	143	12.8%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,100	121	11.0%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,111	122	11.0%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,105	140	12.7%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,109	105	9.5%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,114	113	10.1%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,132	109	9.6%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,112	132	11.9%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,113	45	4.0%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,115	204	18.3%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,104	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,104	160	14.5%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,104	304	27.5%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,080	80	7.4%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,086	106	9.8%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,080	66	6.1%	3.8%	2
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,066	86	8.1%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,085	118	10.9%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,078	127	11.8%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,101	100	9.1%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	0	40	-	3.3%	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.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 74 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 63 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 49 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 9 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 7 pupils

Physical Disability 5 pupils

Visual Impairment 4 pupils

Hearing Impairment 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.

80.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

80.0%Positive

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

25.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree44%

agree38%

disagree11%

strongly disagree4%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree59%

agree32%

disagree6%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree42%

agree14%

disagree14%

strongly disagree12%

don't know3%

not applicable15%

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

yes26%

no74%

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

strongly agree20%

agree28%

disagree18%

strongly disagree33%

dont know3%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree49%

agree36%

disagree6%

strongly disagree4%

don't know5%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree44%

agree38%

disagree10%

strongly disagree5%

don't know3%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree48%

agree39%

disagree6%

strongly disagree5%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree51%

agree43%

disagree3%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree46%

agree45%

disagree2%

strongly disagree2%

don't know5%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree37%

agree31%

disagree15%

strongly disagree8%

don't know9%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes76%

no24%

Top Secondary Schools in Kent

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

View all arrow_forward

Dartford Grammar School

Outstanding

location_on Dartford, DA1 2HW

emoji_events #1 in LA

The Judd School

Outstanding

location_on Tonbridge, TN9 2PN

emoji_events #2 in LA

Tonbridge Grammar School

Outstanding

location_on Tonbridge, TN9 2JR

emoji_events #3 in LA

Dartford Grammar School for Girls

Outstanding

location_on Dartford, DA1 2NT

emoji_events #4 in LA

Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School

Outstanding

location_on Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9UJ

emoji_events #5 in LA

Invicta Grammar School

Outstanding

location_on Maidstone, ME14 5DS

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in Kent arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

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