Hartsdown Academy
| Type | Secondary / Academy converter |
| Age Range | 11-18 |
| Religion | Does not apply |
| Address | George V Avenue Margate Kent CT9 5RE |
| Phone | 01843227957 |
| Reference Number | 136571 |
Hartsdown Academy has demonstrated a strong overall performance with a focus on inclusion and effective safeguarding practices. Leaders quickly identify the needs of pupils, particularly those with barriers to learning and disadvantaged backgrounds, and adjust provisions accordingly to provide a broad and ambitious curriculum. The engagement in learning activities is commendable, and a positive atmosphere permeates the school environment, bolstered by supportive leadership and skilled staff. However, attendance remains a concern, with rates still below national averages, and some pupils do not achieve well enough in their national exams, particularly in English and mathematics. Despite these challenges, the school shows a commitment to improving pupil achievement and attendance over time.
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 837 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 51.61%
Girls: 48.39% |
| Percentage of students eligible for free school meals | 62.1% |
| Percentage of students where English is not their first language | 22.8% |
Class Sizes
| Average size of one teacher classes | 21.1 |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 65 | 80 | 145 |
| 8 | 114 | 79 | 193 |
| 9 | 69 | 77 | 146 |
| 10 | 77 | 79 | 156 |
| 11 | 83 | 58 | 141 |
| 12 | 16 | 18 | 34 |
| 13 | 8 | 14 | 22 |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White, British | 65.5% |
| White, Other | 12.9% |
| Mixed, Other | 5.1% |
| African | 2.6% |
| White & Black (Caribbean) | 1.7% |
| White & Black (African) | 1.7% |
| Indian | 1.1% |
| Asian, Other | 0.7% |
| White & Asian | 0.6% |
| Unclassified | 0.6% |
| Caribbean | 0.6% |
| Irish | 0.1% |
| Pakistani | 0.1% |
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Needs attention |
| > Leadership & Governance | Expected standard |
| > Personal Development & Wellbeing | Expected standard |
| > Achievement | Needs attention |
| > Attendance & Behaviour | Needs attention |
| > Curriculum & Teaching | Expected standard |
| > Inclusion | Strong standard |
| > Post-16 Provision | Expected standard |
| Last Report Date | 24 Feb 2026 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 24 Feb 2026 | School inspection |
| 07 Dec 2021 | School inspection |
| 20 Oct 2020 | Monitoring visit |
| 08 Mar 2018 | Full inspection |
| 20 Mar 2014 | Full inspection |
| 14 Feb 2012 | Academy conversion letter |
| 06 Jul 2011 | Full inspection |
| 29 Jan 2008 | Full inspection: |
| Previously as Hartsdown Technology College | |
| 29 Jan 2008 | Full inspection: |
| 04 Nov 2002 | Full inspection |
| 04 Nov 2002 | Full inspection |
Strengths
- Strong support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
- Well-designed curriculum that is ambitious and broadly matched to pupils' needs.
- Effective leadership with clear vision and high expectations.
- Positive atmosphere in the school, promoting safety and wellbeing.
- High-quality training for staff, linked to the changing needs of pupils.
- Engaged pupils who actively participate in learning and extra-curricular activities.
Areas for Improvement
- Low achievement in national tests, particularly in English and mathematics.
- Attendance rates persistently below national averages.
- Persistent absence remains high despite improvements.
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) |
|---|---|---|
| 32.1 |
GCSE Results
| Metric | School Score | Percentile (local) | Percentile (nationwide) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 19.7% | ||
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4 (or A-C) | 27.7% |
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 | 22.83 |
Grades
| School | Local | Nationwide | |
| Average Grade | D+ | C | C+ |
| Average Grade (best 3) | NE | C+ | C+ |
| Percentage | Percentile (local) | Percentile (nationwide) |
|---|
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| Number of Applications | Number of Offers | |
| First Preference | ||
| Second Preference | 46 | 24 |
| Third Preference | 72 | 14 |
| From another Local Authority | 0 | 0 |
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 |
|
Garlinge Primary School and Nursery
Westfield Road, Margate, Kent, CT9 5PA |
0.39 miles |
|
St Gregory's Catholic Primary School, Margate
Nash Road, Margate, Kent, CT9 4BU |
0.5 miles |
|
Salmestone Primary School
College Road, Margate, Kent, CT9 4DB |
0.53 miles |
|
Margate, Holy Trinity and St John's Church of England Primary School
St John's Road, Margate, Kent, CT9 1LU |
0.78 miles |
|
Drapers Mills Primary Academy
St Peter's Footpath, Margate, Kent, CT9 2SP |
1.05 miles |
|
St Crispin's Infant School
St Crispin's Road, Westgate-on-Sea, Kent, CT8 8EB |
1.45 miles |
|
St Saviour's Church of England Junior School
Elm Grove, St. Saviour's C.E Junior School Elm Grove, Westgate on Sea, Kent, CT8 8LD |
1.56 miles |
|
Cliftonville Primary School
Northumberland Avenue, Cliftonville, Margate, Kent, CT9 3LY |
1.62 miles |
|
Northdown Primary School
Tenterden Way, Margate, Kent, CT9 3RE |
1.68 miles |
|
Palm Bay Primary School
Palm Bay Avenue, Cliftonville, Margate, Kent, CT9 3PP |
2.25 miles |
|
Dame Janet Primary Academy
Newington Road, Ramsgate, Kent, CT12 6QY |
2.45 miles |
|
Bromstone Primary School, Broadstairs
Rumfields Road, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 2PW |
2.58 miles |
|
Callis Grange Nursery and Infant School
Beacon Road, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 3DG |
2.59 miles |
|
St Peter-in-Thanet CofE Junior School
Grange Road, St Peter's, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 3EP |
2.65 miles |
|
Birchington Church of England Primary School
Park Lane, Birchington, Kent, CT7 0AS |
2.71 miles |
|
Ramsgate Arts Primary School
140-144 Newington Road, Ramsgate, Kent, CT12 6PP |
2.72 miles |
|
Newington Community Primary School
Princess Margaret Avenue, Ramsgate, Kent, CT12 6HX |
2.75 miles |
|
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Broadstairs
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Broadstairs, St Peter's Park Road, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 2BA |
2.8 miles |
|
Upton Junior School
Upton Junior School, Edge End Road, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 2AH |
2.91 miles |
|
Wellesley Haddon Dene School
|
3.02 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
Cherry Tree
29 All Saints Avenue, Margate, Kent, CT9 5QN |
0.26 miles |
|
Parkview Academy
8 Approach Road, Margate, Kent, CT9 2AN |
1.19 miles |
|
St Anthony's School
St Anthony's Way, Margate, Kent, CT9 3RA |
1.71 miles |
|
Ursuline College
225 Canterbury Road, Westgate-on-Sea, Kent, CT8 8LX |
1.81 miles |
|
King Ethelbert School
Canterbury Road, Birchington, Kent, CT7 9BL |
2.04 miles |
|
Life Skills Enterprise
Northdown House, Northdown Park Road, Cliftonville, Margate, Kent, CT9 3TP |
2.12 miles |
|
St George's Church of England Foundation School
Westwood Road, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 2LH |
2.14 miles |
|
Cross Keys Learning
Suite 1 & 2 the Lead Centre, Dane Valley Road, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 3JJ |
2.17 miles |
|
Laleham Gap School
Ozengell Place, Ramsgate, Kent, CT12 6FH |
2.24 miles |
|
Dane Court Grammar School
Broadstairs Road, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 2RT |
2.49 miles |
|
The Llewellyn School and Nursery
Quex Park Estate, Birchington, Kent, Margate, Kent, CT7 0BB |
2.6 miles |
|
Maple Haven Ltd
Quex Village, Quex Park, Park Lane, Birchington, Kent, CT7 0BH |
2.6 miles |
|
The Charles Dickens School
Broadstairs Road, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 2RL |
2.63 miles |
|
Small Haven School
146-150, Newington Road, Ramsgate, Kent, Kent, CT12 6PT |
2.65 miles |
|
Foreland Fields School
Newlands Lane, Ramsgate, Kent, CT12 6RH |
2.67 miles |
|
The Royal Harbour Academy
Marlowe Way, Ramsgate, Kent, CT12 6FA |
2.8 miles |
|
St Lawrence College
College Road, Ramsgate, CT11 7AE |
3.21 miles |
|
Stone Bay School
70 Stone Road, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 1EB |
3.33 miles |
|
EKC Group
Ramsgate Road, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 1PN |
3.34 miles |
|
Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School
Chatham Street, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 7PS |
3.61 miles |