Dartford Science & Technology College
Dartford, DA1 2LY · Kent · secondary school
Check the area around this school
44th 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 — 6.1/10 against 910 of them, against 5.9/10 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 | 18 | 35% | 0.63 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 53.3 · 70 | 30% | 2.09 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.04 · 47 | 25% | 1.18 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 47.1 · 56 | 10% | 0.56 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Dartford Science & Technology College overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 54.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 49.1, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.04 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.2 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in April 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 857 pupils against a stated capacity of 950. 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
Since the inspection is recent, how are the separate area grades reflected in daily teaching? How does the school support pupils to improve their Progress 8 scores?
What Ofsted said about Dartford Science & Technology College
Overview
The report describes a "warm and welcoming school" where pupils are known as individuals and feel safe. Leaders have established a "highly inclusive ethos" that supports all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, to thrive personally and academically.
Strengths
- Inclusion is rated at a "Strong standard," with leaders being "ambitious for all pupils" and establishing "highly effective systems" to identify barriers to success.
- Pupils' behaviour is "exemplary," creating a "calm and orderly environment" where bullying is rare and pupils are "respectful and well mannered."
- Attendance has seen "sustained improvement" through a whole-school approach, with leaders working closely with external agencies to address individual barriers.
- The curriculum is "ambitious" and well-designed, with teachers demonstrating "secure and detailed subject knowledge" and making appropriate adaptations for all learners.
- Staff feel "valued by leaders" who take steps to reduce workload and support wellbeing, fostering a positive culture where staff and pupils feel supported.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure pupils develop "secure and detailed knowledge across all aspects of the personal development programme," particularly regarding citizenship.
- Leaders should continue to ensure "highly effective teaching, including the precise use of assessment, is embedded consistently well across the curriculum."
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" ensuring pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 42.1 |
| 2024/25 | 49.1 |
| 2025/26 | 47.1 |
| 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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