The Charles Dickens School
Broadstairs, CT10 2RL · Kent · secondary school
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49th 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 5.9/10 against 479 of them, against 3.7/10 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 | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 29.5 · 15 | 30% | 0.44 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.22 · 66 | 25% | 1.66 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 42.8 · 33 | 10% | 0.33 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Charles Dickens School overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted, last inspected in 2023. In 2024/25, 28.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 42.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.22 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.7 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Jewellery, Engineering, and Cooking Clubs. Trips include visits to New York, Paris, and Thorpe Park, as well as ski trips and theatre outings. A breakfast club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,117 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,104. 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
What support is available for pupils aiming to raise their Attainment 8 scores? How are the international trips funded and organised?
What Ofsted said about The Charles Dickens School
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils are "happy and safe" within a "supportive, innovative and inclusive" environment. Leaders have established high expectations for behaviour, resulting in "harmonious, kind and supportive" relationships and a "strong work ethic" among students.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "ambitious and well planned," with "strong" subject knowledge among teachers and effective assessment practices.
- "Careers provision is strong," featuring good links with colleges and increasing numbers of pupils pursuing level 3 qualifications.
- Safeguarding arrangements are "effective," with a "dedicated culture of safeguarding" ensuring pupils feel protected online and offline.
- Personal development is supported by an "extensive extra-curricular offer," including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and various clubs.
- Progress for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs is "closely monitored and sensitively supported."
Areas to improve
- Leaders must raise the status of languages to ensure more pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, achieve the English Baccalaureate, as current uptake is "not high enough."
- The school should map the personal, social, health and education (PSHE) provision across the whole school to ensure knowledge is "systematically built upon over time."
- The school needs to address shortfalls in design and technology content within the key stage 3 curriculum.
Safeguarding
The report states that "arrangements for safeguarding are effective," with robust systems in place to promote pupils’ welfare and ensure concerns are acted upon promptly.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 43.9 |
| 2024/25 | 42.5 |
| 2025/26 | 42.8 |
| 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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