The Charles Dickens School

Secondary
Academy
Ages 11 to 18

Ofsted: Good

Broadstairs Road, Broadstairs, CT10 2RLOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

The Charles Dickens School is a secondary school in Broadstairs for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 692 schools in Kent. It ranks 2nd of 3 secondary schools in Broadstairs. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 28 March 2023, report published 24 May 2023

Overall effectiveness: Good
Quality of education: Good
Behaviour and attitudes: Good
Personal development: Good
Leadership and management: Good
Safeguarding: Met

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

199 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score42.5

42.5, 3.6 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths28.6%

28.6%, 16.8 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths55.8%

55.8%, 9 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc18.1%

18.1%, 22.4 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score3.42

3.42, 0.67 below the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

1,117 pupils on roll, with places for 1,104

Eligible for free school meals42.5%

42.5%, 16 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language8.6%

8.6%, 13 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support20.3%

20.3%, 5.5 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.2%

2.2%, 3.8 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near The Charles Dickens School

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
Dane Court Grammar School	0.2 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 65.3
St George's Church of England Foundation School	0.6 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 37.7
St Lawrence College	1 mile	No Ofsted inspection	Attainment 8: 23.8
The Royal Harbour Academy	1 mile	Report card: Urgent improvement to expected standard	Attainment 8: 28.9
Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School	2 miles	Ofsted judgements: Good	Attainment 8: 64.0

School details

School type: Academy sponsor led
Sector: Academy
Trust: BARTON COURT ACADEMY TRUST
Age range: 11 to 18
Gender: Mixed
Sixth form: Yes
Headteacher: Mr Warren Smith
Phone: 01843862988
Website: cds.kent.sch.uk (opens in a new tab)
Address: Broadstairs Road, Broadstairs, CT10 2RL
Local authority: Kent
URN: 144015

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.