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Academy converter · Kent

Bennett Memorial Diocesan School

  • 11–18Ages
  • 1,913Pupils
  • SecondaryPhase
  • Church of EnglandReligious character
  • Sixth formAges 16–18
  • 136603URN

Culverden Down, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9SH · School website

Applications per placeCircle size: applicationsThis school
Latest Ofsted

Graded inspection · Dec 2023 Previous framework

Outstanding
  • Quality of education
  • Behaviour and attitudes
  • Personal development
  • Leadership and management
What Ofsted found
Applications per place · Sept 2026
3.9per place
0.8 above Kent median (3.1)
Fewer applicationsMore

This schoolOther secondary schools in KentSelective

1,134 applications for 293 places · 30th of 103 in Kent
Every year since 2014
Attainment 8 · 2025/26 (provisional)
53.4of 90
34th of 100 in Kent
All GCSE results

What did Ofsted find?

Ofsted data to 30 September 2026
Overall effectiveness: Outstanding · 13 December 2023Ofsted's previous 4-point scale (to August 2024)
AreaOutstandingGoodRequires improvementInadequate
Quality of educationOutstanding
Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
Personal developmentOutstanding
Leadership and managementOutstanding
Sixth form provisionOutstanding

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 entry
3.9applications per place, Year 7
0.8 above Kent median (3.1) 1.6 above England median (2.2)

1,134 applications · 293 places offered · 384 named it first

FaithMay give priority to families of the faith.

  1. 2026 3.9; Kent median median 3.1
  2. 2025 3.8; Kent median median 3.0
  3. 2024 3.3; Kent median median 3.2
  4. 2023 3.6; Kent median median 3.2
  5. 2022 3.3; Kent median median 2.9
  6. 2021 4.7; Kent median median 3.6
  7. 2020 3.5; Kent median median 3.1
  8. 2019 3.5; Kent median median 2.9
  9. 2018 3.4; Kent median median 3.1
  10. 2017 3.1; Kent median median 3.0
  11. 2016 3.0; Kent median median 3.3
  12. 2015 3.8; Kent median median 3.2
  13. 2014 3.4; Kent median median 3.1
More applications per place than the Kent median in 12 of 13 years.
  • This school
  • Kent median

Year 7 applications for September 2027 close 31 October 2026, through your council

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.

EntryPlacesApplicationsPer placeFirst preferencesFirst-pref. ratio
Sep 20262931,1343.93841.31
Sep 20252931,0983.83211.10
Sep 20242929553.32820.97
Sep 20232871,0283.63491.22
Sep 20222959643.33271.11
Sep 20212971,3804.73061.03
Sep 20202891,0113.53381.17
Sep 20192991,0353.53481.16
Sep 20182688993.42831.06
Sep 20172708443.12901.07
Sep 20162698163.02490.93
Sep 20152218453.82611.18
Sep 20142358083.42971.26

How did pupils do at GCSE?

DfE KS4 · 2025/26 provisional

294 pupils took GCSEs in 2025/26.

Attainment 8 (out of 90)53.434th of 100 in Kent
Grade 5 or above in English and maths57%34th of 100 in Kent
Grade 4 or above in English and maths79%
  • This school
  • Kent median
  • England median
Progress 8 (2023/24, the latest published)+0.73
−20 = national average+2
Every year as a table
YearPupilsAttainment 85+ Eng & maths4+ Eng & mathsProgress 8
2025/26 (prov.)29453.457%79%–
2024/2529654.058%85%–
2023/2429456.061%84%+0.73
2022/2326658.268%88%+0.95

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

  • 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
Academy converter
Phase
Secondary
URN · DfE number
136603 · 886/5464
Trust
The Tenax Schools Trust
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Religious character
Church of England
Capacity
1,452 pupils · 1,913 on roll
Free school meals
10.5% of pupils (England median 23%)
Opened
1 April 2011
Replaced
Bennett Memorial Diocesan School (URN 118841)
Address
Culverden Down, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9SH
Local authority
Kent · Tunbridge Wells

Data last changed 19 October 2026 · Report an error · Corrections · Sources