Dartford Science & Technology College, Dartford

Ofsted's report card from its 21 April 2026 inspection grades Dartford Science & Technology College on 7 areas: 1 strong standard and 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Inclusion underpins leaders' work."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Across the curriculum, pupils achieve well."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders have prioritised a whole-school approach to attendance that has led to sustained improvement."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum for all pupils."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders place pupils at the centre of their decision-making, including disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have established a comprehensive and appropriate personal development programme."

Post 16 provision - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed a suitable post-16 study programme."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that pupils develop secure and detailed knowledge across all aspects of the personal development programme so that they are well prepared for life beyond school"; "Leaders should continue to ensure that highly effective teaching, including the precise use of assessment, is embedded consistently well across the curriculum so that all pupils are supported to achieve highly across all subjects".

In its own words: "DSTC is a nurturing, engaging 11-18 school where students achieve well and flourish. DSTC is unique in Dartford as the only non-selective school for girls. In addition, we are a small school and pride ourselves on the excellent relationships between staff, students and parents."

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am delighted to be joining the DSTC community as Principal and I am looking forward to meeting, and working with, our young people and their families. Our School values are deeply embedded and permeate all that we do."

In 2026, pupils at Dartford Science & Technology College averaged an Attainment 8 score of 47.1, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 48.1 in Kent and 47 across England.

53% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 49% in Kent and 47% in England.

That is down from 49.1 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.04: pupils made about average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 36, against 51.6 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 15.6 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 21 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 172 families put Dartford Science & Technology College as their first choice and 580 named it as one of their preferences, for 148 places offered. That is 1.2 first choices for every place. 50 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Dartford Science & Technology College are Dartford Grammar School for Girls (0.1 miles, Outstanding, selective, Attainment 8 77.3); Dartford Grammar School (0.2 miles, Outstanding, selective, Attainment 8 78.9); Wilmington Grammar School for Girls (0.9 miles, Good, selective, Attainment 8 65.3); and Wilmington Grammar School for Boys (1 mile, Good, selective, Attainment 8 67.6).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than Dartford Science & Technology College.

Of the 150 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 84% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 35% to a further education college, 3% to an apprenticeship and 3% into work.

Of the 63 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 59% went on to university or other higher education, 2% to apprenticeships and 22% into work. 10% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

In 2026, 126 pupils (14.7%) received SEN support and 26 (3%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Dartford Rail Station, about 0.8 miles away in a straight line.

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Dartford Girls' Grammar School (outside), 230 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 324 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Kent (101), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Dartford Science & Technology College issued 35 suspensions, 4.1 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.

The primary schools closest to Dartford Science & Technology College are Westgate Primary School (0.3 miles); West Hill Primary Academy (0.4 miles); Our Lady's Catholic Primary School, Dartford (0.4 miles); and Oakfield Primary Academy (0.7 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.