The Skinners' School
Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9PG · Kent · Grammar school
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8th 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 201 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 8.5/10 among them, against 9.8/10 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 | 85 | 35% | 2.99 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 96.9 · 98 | 30% | 2.93 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.99 · 97 | 25% | 2.43 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 72.7 · 97 | 10% | 0.97 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Skinners' School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 93.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 70.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.99 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 8.0 out of 10 among them, against 9.7 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted inspected the school in January 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Gardening Club and Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Sports include Rugby, Hockey, Cricket, Cross Country, Raquet sports, Basketball, Badminton, and Bouldering. Speech and Drama is offered for arts and music. Trips have included South Africa, Iceland, Ypres, Berlin, China, New York, Snowdonia, and Normandy.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,149 pupils against a stated capacity of 945. 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 many places are there in the entry year, and how many families applied last year?
What Ofsted said about The Skinners' School
Overview
The report describes a school where leaders have established a culture rooted in "high ambition for all pupils," resulting in consistently strong outcomes across the curriculum. Pupils are portrayed as "ambitious and driven," benefiting from an "ambitious curriculum" and "highly effective" teaching that prepares them well for future education or training.
Strengths
- Pupils "achieve very well across the curriculum," with examination results consistently above national averages, including for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs.
- There is a "culture of kindness and mutual respect," with pupils being "very well mannered" and classrooms described as "calm environments" where bullying is rare.
- Attendance is "very well" managed, with rates consistently above national averages and persistent absence remaining low due to intelligent pastoral support.
- The "comprehensive and thoughtfully sequenced personal development and wellbeing programme" ensures pupils are "well prepared for life beyond the school."
- Post-16 provision is "highly ambitious and well-designed," with students developing "deep subject knowledge" and impressive leadership skills.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should "strengthen their approach to identifying specific barriers for some disadvantaged pupils" and closely monitor the impact of individual support strategies.
- Leaders should continue work to develop "autonomous, self-regulating individuals" who demonstrate the positive values the school instils.
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 | 74.1 |
| 2024/25 | 70.8 |
| 2025/26 | 72.7 |
| 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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