Charles Darwin School
| Type | Secondary / Academy converter |
| Age Range | 11-18 |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Address | Jail Lane Biggin Hill Westerham Kent TN16 3AU |
| Phone | 01959574043 |
| Reference Number | 136545 |
Charles Darwin School has been rated as good in all areas during its recent inspection, highlighting a commitment to inclusivity and ambition for pupil success. The school offers a well-organized curriculum with both academic and vocational options, and is recognized for its strong emphasis on the arts. Students demonstrate good behavior and feel safe, with a personal development program that equips them to handle various life challenges. The sixth form is noted for its supportive environment, contributing to students' positive experiences and achievements.
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 1314 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 48.25%
Girls: 51.75% |
| Percentage of students eligible for free school meals | 23.5% |
| Percentage of students where English is not their first language | 2.4% |
Class Sizes
| Average size of one teacher classes | 22.2 |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 97 | 125 | 222 |
| 8 | 109 | 113 | 222 |
| 9 | 120 | 106 | 226 |
| 10 | 119 | 102 | 221 |
| 11 | 99 | 115 | 214 |
| 12 | 39 | 59 | 98 |
| 13 | 51 | 60 | 111 |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White, British | 77.7% |
| White, Other | 4.9% |
| White & Black (Caribbean) | 3.9% |
| African | 3.7% |
| Mixed, Other | 2% |
| White & Black (African) | 1.7% |
| Unclassified | 1.4% |
| Caribbean | 1.1% |
| White & Asian | 1% |
| Asian, Other | 0.6% |
| Indian | 0.4% |
| Pakistani | 0.2% |
| Chinese | 0.1% |
| Irish | 0.1% |
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Good |
| > Quality of education | Good |
| > Behaviour & Attitude | Good |
| > Personal Development | Good |
| > Leadership & Management | Good |
| > Sixth Form Provision | Good |
| Last Report Date | 15 Jun 2023 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 15 Jun 2023 | School inspection: |
| 10 Nov 2020 | Monitoring visit |
| 30 Jan 2018 | Short inspection |
| 24 Oct 2013 | Full inspection: |
| 14 Feb 2012 | Academy conversion letter |
| 09 Jan 2012 | Interim assessment |
| 19 Jan 2010 | Curriculum and development visit |
| Previously as Charles Darwin School | |
| 19 Jan 2010 | Curriculum and development visit |
| 17 Sep 2008 | Full inspection: |
| 17 Sep 2008 | Full inspection: |
| 01 Mar 2004 | Full inspection |
| 01 Mar 2004 | Full inspection |
Strengths
- The school has a strong, inclusive ethos focused on ambition and achievement.
- A high proportion of pupils engage in arts subjects, particularly music.
- The curriculum is extensive, well-organized, and includes academic and vocational courses.
- Teachers build strong relationships with pupils and adapt teaching to meet diverse needs.
- Leaders respond effectively to bullying and maintain a calm, orderly environment.
- There is a strong personal development program that addresses social media safety and cultural understanding.
Areas for Improvement
- Some pupils occasionally struggle to connect prior learning with current topics due to insufficient assessment strategies.
Attainment 8 Score
Attaimenment 8 is a measure of a pupil's average grade across a set of 8 subjects. The 8 subjects which make up Attainment 8 are:
- English
- Maths
- 3 subjects from qualifications that count towards the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), like sciences, language and history
- 3 more GCSE qualifications (including EBacc subjects) or technical awards from a list approved by the Department for Education
Each grade a pupil gets is assigned a point score from 9 (the highest) to 1 (the lowest). These scores are added up, with English and maths counted twice.
| School Score | Percentile (local) | Percentile (nationwide) |
|---|---|---|
| 38.9 |
GCSE Results
| Metric | School Score | Percentile (local) | Percentile (nationwide) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 24.4% | ||
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4 (or A-C) | 40.8% |
Attainment 8 Score
Note: Exam results were not published in 2021 and 2022 due to the pandemic.
Attaimenment 8 is a measure of a pupil's average grade across a set of 8 subjects. The 8 subjects which make up Attainment 8 are:
Sample
UnlockGCSE Results
Note: Exam results were not published in 2021 and 2022 due to the pandemic.
Sample
UnlockPoints
| Points | Percentile (local) | Percentile (nationwide) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Points | 29.39 | ||
| Average Points (best 3) | 31.95 |
Grades
| School | Local | Nationwide | |
| Average Grade | C | C+ | C+ |
| Average Grade (best 3) | C+ | C+ | C+ |
| Percentage | Percentile (local) | Percentile (nationwide) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students getting AAB or better | 2.4% |
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| Number of Applications | Number of Offers | |
| First Preference | ||
| Second Preference | 92 | 31 |
| Third Preference | 57 | 18 |
| From another Local Authority | 109 | 46 |
Previous Years
Sample
UnlockDestinations after GCSE's
| Staying in Education | |
| > Further Education | |
| > School Sixth Form | |
| > Sixth Form College | |
| > Other Education | |
| Apprenticeships | |
| Employment | |
| Not in education or employment | |
| Unknown |
| Name | Distance |
|
Biggin Hill Primary School
Old Tye Avenue, Biggin Hill, Westerham, Kent, TN16 3LY |
0.23 miles |
|
Cudham Church of England Primary School
Jail Lane, Biggin Hill, Westerham, Kent, TN16 3AX |
0.41 miles |
|
Oaklands Primary Academy
Oaklands Lane, Biggin Hill, Westerham, Kent, TN16 3DN |
0.88 miles |
|
Downe Primary School
High Elms Road, Downe, High Elms Road, Orpington, Kent, BR6 7JN |
1.58 miles |
|
Tatsfield Primary School
3 Ship Hill, Tatsfield, Kent, TN16 2AH |
1.85 miles |
|
Fairchildes Primary School
Fairchildes Avenue, New Addington, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 0AH |
2.44 miles |
|
St Katharine's Knockholt Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Main Road, Knockholt, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 7LS |
2.57 miles |
|
Rowdown Primary School
Calley Down Crescent, New Addington, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 0EG |
2.95 miles |
|
Churchill Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Rysted Lane, Westerham, Kent, TN16 1EZ |
3.2 miles |
|
Keston Church of England Primary School
Lakes Road, Keston, Kent, BR2 6BN |
3.21 miles |
|
Farnborough Primary School
Farnborough Hill, Farnborough, Orpington, Kent, BR6 7EQ |
3.22 miles |
|
Green Street Green Primary School
Vine Road, Orpington, Kent, BR6 6DT |
3.26 miles |
|
Pratts Bottom Primary School
Hookwood Road, Pratts Bottom, Orpington, Kent, BR6 7NX |
3.31 miles |
|
Warlingham Park School
Chelsham Common, Chelsham Common Road, Warlingham, Surrey, CR6 9PB |
3.34 miles |
|
Tudor Academy
King Henry's Drive, New Addington, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 0PH |
3.43 miles |
|
Darrick Wood Infant & Nursery School
Lovibonds Avenue, Orpington, Kent, BR6 8ER |
3.54 miles |
|
Darrick Wood Junior School
Lovibonds Avenue, Orpington, Kent, BR6 8ER |
3.54 miles |
|
Warren Road Primary School
Warren Road, Orpington, Kent, BR6 6JF |
3.7 miles |
|
Wickham Common Primary School
Gates Green Road, Coney Hall, West Wickham, Kent, BR4 9DG |
3.74 miles |
|
Tubbenden Primary School
Sandy Bury, Orpington, Kent, BR6 9SD |
3.77 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Meridian High School
Fairchildes Avenue, New Addington, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 0AH |
2.37 miles |
|
Darrick Wood School
Lovibonds Avenue, Orpington, Kent, BR6 8ER |
3.54 miles |
|
Ravens Wood School
Oakley Road, Bromley, Kent, BR2 8HP |
3.75 miles |
|
Valence School
Westerham Road, Westerham, Kent, TN16 1QN |
3.76 miles |
|
Newstead Wood School
Avebury Road, Orpington, Kent, BR6 9SA |
3.78 miles |
|
Limpsfield Grange School
89 Bluehouse Lane, Oxted, Surrey, RH8 0RZ |
3.8 miles |
|
Baston House School
Baston Road, Hayes, Bromley, Kent, BR2 7AB |
4.02 miles |
|
Radnor House Sevenoaks
|
4.04 miles |
|
Addington Valley Academy
Fieldway, Croydon, CR0 9AZ |
4.16 miles |
|
Hayes School
West Common Road, Hayes, Bromley, Kent, BR2 7DB |
4.2 miles |
|
Oxted School
Bluehouse Lane, Oxted, Surrey, RH8 0AB |
4.32 miles |
|
St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School
Goddington Lane, Orpington, Kent, BR6 9SH |
4.34 miles |
|
TLC The Learning Centre
Princes Plain, Bromley, Orpington, Kent, BR2 8LD |
4.53 miles |
|
Bishop Justus CofE School
Magpie Hall Lane, Bromley, Kent, BR2 8HZ |
4.54 miles |
|
Glebe School
Hawes Lane, West Wickham, Kent, BR4 9AE |
4.72 miles |
|
The Quest Academy
Farnborough Avenue, South Croydon, Surrey, CR2 8HD |
4.78 miles |
|
Olympus
112 Orchard Road, South Croydon, CR2 9LQ |
4.83 miles |
|
Browns School
Hawstead Lane, Chelsfield, Hawstead Lane, Orpington, Kent, BR6 7PH |
4.89 miles |
|
Bromley Beacon Academy
Avalon Road, Orpington, Kent, BR6 9BD |
4.9 miles |
|
Warlingham School
Tithepit Shaw Lane, Warlingham, Surrey, CR6 9YB |
4.93 miles |