Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys

Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys demonstrates strong performance across various domains including achievement, attendance, and personal development. Pupils consistently achieve well, with examination outcomes significantly exceeding national averages. Attendance levels are also notably high, indicative of the school's strong culture and engagement initiatives. There's a balanced focus on academic performance and personal growth, with a well-structured program in place to prepare students for their futures beyond school. Leaders are dedicated to ensuring that all pupils, particularly those facing challenges, receive the support they need to thrive. The school, having recently expanded to accommodate a growing number of pupils, has managed this transition effectively, maintaining high standards across both its sites. Disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs perform at comparable levels to their peers, showcasing the school’s commitment to inclusivity. While the overall performance is commendable, there are areas identified for further improvement, particularly in supporting special educational needs and ensuring consistent assessment practices among staff.

Strengths

• Pupils achieve significantly above national averages in public examinations.
• High levels of attendance well above national averages.
• Effective safeguarding culture where pupils feel safe.
• Strong personal development programs that teach essential life skills.
• Well-structured support for disadvantaged pupils who achieve equally well.
• The sixth form offers a broad range of A-level subjects tailored to student needs.
• Positive relationships between staff and pupils enhance the learning environment.

Areas for Improvement

• Inconsistencies in how teachers check pupils' understanding of new learning.
• Need for clearer guidance for staff on supporting pupils with special educational needs.

Admissions: local authority offers data from the Department for Education. A school is oversubscribed when at least 5% of the families who put it first were not offered a place, and undersubscribed when everyone who put it first got in but 10% or more of its places were unfilled in the Department's school capacity survey (the latest survey is used for entry years it does not cover). Places: Department for Education, School capacity, from local authorities' annual survey as at 1 May. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024–25); the survey was not run in 2020. Places include sixth form places. Forecasts are the local authority's own for the school's planning area, an area it uses to plan places that is not the school's catchment area. The forecast starts from a head count in 2025; the dashed line is the Department's estimate of places in that area, including those the authority has firm plans for. Planned places are cumulative, and only those with firm plans are counted.

In 2024–25 pupils at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys attended 94.9% of sessions (the national figure for secondary schools was 91.6%). 11.2% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 23.4%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 2.7% of pupils at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys were suspended at least once (nationally 7.3%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys had 18.9 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for secondary schools was 16.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 14.6% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.1%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26, 3.3% of pupils at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys were on SEN support (nationally 14.1%) and 0.2% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 3.5%).

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded secondary schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys received £6,916 and spent £7,114 for each of its 1,875 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £1,193,000 (£636 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Tunbridge Wells · Kent local authority: places and applications

What is Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys is Expected standard, from an inspection in May 2026.

When was Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys last inspected by Ofsted?

Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys was last inspected in May 2026.

How many pupils does Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys have?

Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys has 1,875 pupils on roll.

What age range does Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys cover?

Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys for pupils aged 11 to 18.

What are Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys's GCSE results?

In 2026 its average Attainment 8 score was 64.5, and 88% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSE.

Where is Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys?

Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys is at St John's Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 9XB.