The Charles Dickens School, Broadstairs

In its own words: "At The Charles Dickens School we are dedicated to enabling all students to achieve their full potential. We pride ourselves on being a supportive, innovative and inclusive school community. We are dedicated to ensuring our students develop, both as life-long learners and as responsible young adults."

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am sure that you will find it informative and enjoyable to explore. We are very proud of our school community. Parents, staff and governors work tirelessly to support our pupils to excel so that when they leave us they are confident, successful and fulfilled young people ready to meet the challenges of a world that is rapidly changing."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include debating and Duke of Edinburgh.

The school runs a breakfast club.

In 2026, pupils at The Charles Dickens School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 42.8, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 48.1 in Kent and 47 across England.

30% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 49% in Kent and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 42.5.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.22: pupils made above 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 37.4, against 47.5 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 10.1 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 27 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 288 families put The Charles Dickens School as their first choice and 887 named it as one of their preferences, for 227 places offered. That is 1.3 first choices for every place. 83 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to The Charles Dickens School are Dane Court Grammar School (0.2 miles, Good, selective, Attainment 8 67.2); St George's Church of England Foundation School (0.6 miles, Good, Attainment 8 37.4); The Royal Harbour Academy (1.5 miles, Attainment 8 31.1); and Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School (1.7 miles, Good, selective, Attainment 8 62.2).

The Charles Dickens School's 2026 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

The Charles Dickens School is one of 3 schools run by Barton Court Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 211 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 83% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 49% to a further education college, 3% to an apprenticeship and 1% into work.

42.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 8.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (81%) and Mixed (6%).

In 2026, 227 pupils (20.3%) received SEN support and 25 (2.2%) 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 autism.

The Charles Dickens School has a resourced provision for visual impairment: 5 places, 2 pupils on roll.

The nearest railway station is Broadstairs Rail Station, about 750 metres away (roughly a 9-minute walk).

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Charles Dickens School Grounds (outside), 40 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 201 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Kent (101), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, The Charles Dickens School issued 405 suspensions, 36.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to The Charles Dickens School are Upton Junior School (0.3 miles); Bromstone Primary School, Broadstairs (0.4 miles); St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Broadstairs (0.4 miles); and St Mildred's Primary Infant School (0.5 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.