Astor Secondary School
Dover, CT17 0AS · Kent · secondary school
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95th of 99 secondary schools in Kent we can score, 103 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.4/10 against 129 of them, against 0.1/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 9 | 35% | 0.30 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 11.9 · 1 | 30% | 0.02 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -1.04 · 2 | 25% | 0.05 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 30.3 · 1 | 10% | 0.01 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Astor Secondary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 10.1% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 27.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -1.04 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than nationally similar peers. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (0.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.1 out of 10 against all schools). The March 2026 inspection used the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils have access to White Cliffs Theatre.
Getting in
The published school roll is 732 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,230. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the attainment gap with national medians? What specific support is available for students aiming for grade 5 or above in core subjects? How does the new inspection framework affect current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about Astor Secondary School
Overview
Astor Secondary School is undergoing significant improvement following recent leadership changes, with inspectors noting that actions are "beginning to make a positive difference." While personal development and post-16 provision meet expected standards, achievement, attendance, and teaching quality currently require attention due to historical underperformance and variability.
Strengths
- Leaders provide "effective pastoral care" tailored to individual needs, helping pupils manage emotions and build resilience.
- Pupils benefit from a "wide range of enrichment activities," including clubs and educational visits, which broaden horizons and support cultural development.
- The sixth form is "highly inclusive," with students achieving well from their starting points and receiving effective careers guidance.
- Relationships between staff and pupils are "warm, respectful and supportive," creating a calm environment where pupils feel safe.
- Leaders have introduced a "bespoke curriculum for pupils in Year 7" to accelerate literacy and numeracy catch-up, which is working particularly well for disadvantaged readers.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure the pupil premium strategy is evaluated carefully to have a "consistently positive impact" on disadvantaged pupils’ education.
- Teachers need to skilfully use assessment information to adjust teaching, ensuring pupils with special educational needs or disadvantages achieve as well as they should.
- The attendance strategy must be fully embedded to reduce persistent absence, particularly for vulnerable pupil groups.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 28.6 |
| 2024/25 | 27.9 |
| 2025/26 | 30.3 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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