Bennett Memorial Diocesan School
Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9SH · Kent · secondary school
Check the area around this school
15th 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.
Narrow the comparison to the 495 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.2/10 among them, against 8.3/10 nationally. 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 | 94 | 35% | 3.29 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 56.8 · 76 | 30% | 2.29 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.73 · 92 | 25% | 2.30 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 53.4 · 81 | 10% | 0.81 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Bennett Memorial Diocesan School overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in January 2024. In 2024/25, 57.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 54.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.73 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.4 out of 10 among them, against 8.5 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join table tennis, 2K challenge running, basketball, rowing, trampoline, and dance clubs. Sports include rugby, netball, football, cricket, tennis, and rounders. The Bennett Music Academy supports musical development.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,913 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,452. 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 maintain the high progress scores seen in recent data? What specific opportunities does the Bennett Music Academy offer for students with varying levels of prior experience?
What Ofsted said about Bennett Memorial Diocesan School
Overview
The report describes Bennett Memorial Diocesan School as a place where staff deliver a “sophisticated curriculum very effectively,” resulting in all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, achieving “exceptionally well.” The school is characterised by “exemplary” conduct, a “highly inclusive” environment, and an “unshakeably clear and Christian character” that inspires pupils to serve and volunteer.
Strengths
- The curriculum is “broad and challenging,” with a “very high proportion” of pupils successfully studying English Baccalaureate subjects.
- Teachers use “rigorous and ongoing training” to refine strategies, ensuring pupils “know more and remember more” through systematic checks and targeted homework tasks.
- Reading is a “particularly high priority,” cultivating a “deep love of reading” through dedicated time in English and cross-curricular integration.
- The “co-curriculum” is planned “superbly,” using a “guild system” and rewards to develop character traits like “resilience and persistence.”
- Sixth-form students are “excellent role models” who develop “critical knowledge, understanding and skills” for future study.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 56.0 |
| 2024/25 | 54.0 |
| 2025/26 | 53.4 |
| 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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