Graded inspection · Sep 2023 Previous framework
- Quality of education
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Personal development
- Leadership and management
This schoolOther secondary schools in KentSelective
What did Ofsted find?
Ofsted data to 30 September 2026| Area | Outstanding | Good | Requires improvement | Inadequate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding | |||
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding | |||
| Personal development | Outstanding | |||
| Leadership and management | Outstanding | |||
| Sixth form provision | Outstanding |
Full reports on the Ofsted website · How to read Ofsted grades
About these grades
Ofsted's report cards (from November 2025) grade each area on five steps and give no overall grade. Earlier grades come from a different framework; Ofsted says the two cannot be compared, so they are never converted here. Ofsted: "We normally inspect schools every 4 years or at any time if we have concerns." Methodology.
How hard is it to get a place?
DfE · Sept 2026 entry786 applications · 174 places offered · 228 named it first
SelectiveApplications include children who did not pass the entrance test.
- 2026 4.5; Kent median median 3.1
- 2025 4.1; Kent median median 3.0
- 2024 4.2; Kent median median 3.2
- 2023 4.9; Kent median median 3.2
- 2022 4.3; Kent median median 2.9
- 2021 5.8; Kent median median 3.6
- 2020 4.2; Kent median median 3.1
- 2019 3.8; Kent median median 2.9
- 2018 3.8; Kent median median 3.1
- 2017 3.6; Kent median median 3.0
- 2016 3.8; Kent median median 3.3
- 2015 3.6; Kent median median 3.2
- 2014 3.3; Kent median median 3.1
- This school
- Kent median
Year 7 applications for September 2027 close 31 October 2026, through your council
Selective: register for the entrance test with the school first, usually by the summer before (dates vary). Dates
How this is measured
Applications per place: every application naming the school at any preference, divided by places offered on National Offer Day. It is not your chance of a place. Methodology.
| Entry | Places | Applications | Per place | First preferences | First-pref. ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | 174 | 786 | 4.5 | 228 | 1.31 |
| Sep 2025 | 174 | 717 | 4.1 | 213 | 1.22 |
| Sep 2024 | 174 | 723 | 4.2 | 224 | 1.29 |
| Sep 2023 | 145 | 706 | 4.9 | 222 | 1.53 |
| Sep 2022 | 145 | 616 | 4.3 | 160 | 1.10 |
| Sep 2021 | 145 | 844 | 5.8 | 252 | 1.74 |
| Sep 2020 | 144 | 600 | 4.2 | 166 | 1.15 |
| Sep 2019 | 145 | 546 | 3.8 | 137 | 0.94 |
| Sep 2018 | 145 | 546 | 3.8 | 175 | 1.21 |
| Sep 2017 | 145 | 518 | 3.6 | 166 | 1.14 |
| Sep 2016 | 140 | 529 | 3.8 | 166 | 1.19 |
| Sep 2015 | 140 | 501 | 3.6 | 182 | 1.30 |
| Sep 2014 | 140 | 462 | 3.3 | 161 | 1.15 |
How did pupils do at GCSE?
DfE KS4 · 2025/26 provisionalEvery year as a table
| Year | Pupils | Attainment 8 | 5+ Eng & maths | 4+ Eng & maths | Progress 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 (prov.) | 148 | 72.5 | 95% | 99% | – |
| 2024/25 | 144 | 73.4 | 98% | 99% | – |
| 2023/24 | 144 | 70.1 | 94% | 99% | +0.77 |
| 2022/23 | 145 | 73.1 | 97% | 100% | +1.05 |
Progress 8 is not published for 2024/25 or 2025/26: those pupils had no key stage 2 tests in 2020 and 2021.
Schools nearby
The 8 nearest secondary schools in a straight line, in any local authority
- Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar SchoolThis schoolThis schoolOutstanding20234.5applications per place 72.5Attainment 8 Selective
- 0.3 km · Kent20265.5applications per place 72.7Attainment 8 Selective
- 0.7 km · Kent20263.9applications per place 64.5Attainment 8 Selective
- 0.7 km · KentGraded · no overall grade20243.4applications per place 44.8Attainment 8
- 0.8 km · KentOutstanding20233.9applications per place 53.4Attainment 8
- 2.5 km · KentGood20233.6applications per place 43.8Attainment 8
- 4.6 km · KentStandards maintained20245.4applications per place 77.0Attainment 8 Selective
- 4.6 km · KentGraded · no overall grade20243.3applications per place 69.3Attainment 8 Selective
- 4.8 km · KentGood20223.6applications per place 43.9Attainment 8
- Exceptional
- Strong standard
- Expected standard
- Needs attention
- Urgent improvement
- Does not apply
Eight dots, one per area: inclusion, curriculum, achievement, attendance, personal development, early years, post-16, leadership. Colours follow Ofsted's report card scale; Schoolfile is independent of Ofsted.
School details
- Type
- Foundation school
- Phase
- Secondary
- URN · DfE number
- 118789 · 886/4043
- Admissions policy
- Selective
- Capacity
- 1,119 pupils · 1,123 on roll
- Free school meals
- 3.8% of pupils (England median 23%)
- Address
- Southfield Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9UJ
- Local authority
- Kent · Tunbridge Wells
Data last changed 19 October 2026 · Report an error · Corrections · Sources