The Charles Dickens School celebrates ‘good’ grading from Ofsted

Charles Dickens School headmaster Warren Smith

Staff and pupils at The Charles Dickens School in Broadstairs are celebrating after securing a Good in all categories rating from Ofsted.

The grading comes after an inspection across two days in March and brings the school up from a Requires Improvement grading in 2019.

The latest Ofsted report describes the school as “supportive, innovative and inclusive” and says “Pupils are happy and safe.”

Inspectors also noted “Behaviour and attitudes are very positive” and “A strong work ethic pervades”.

Inspectors say the curriculum is ambitious and well planned and that leaders have ensured a dedicated culture of safeguarding.

In a letter to parents, Headteacher Warren Smith said: “The judgement is a fitting reward for our staff who have worked extremely hard to produce the excellent learning environment that our pupils enjoy, and also our community who showed great confidence in the school during periods of turbulence.

“Since joining Barton Court Academy Trust in 2017, all aspects of provision have strengthened and this is reflected in a very positive report. Although we have had to wait four years since our last inspection to be awarded this grade, we have known for quite some time that CDS is a very good school.”

Ofsted says areas for improvements are increasing the proportion of pupils taking the EBacc and raising the uptake of languages and ensuring more pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND, achieve the EBacc.

Ofsted says the school should also map the provision of PSHE across the whole school and notes attendance has improved but the school is still working hard to reduce persistent absence.

The inspection result comes on the back of excellent exam results with CDS the highest performing non-selective school in Thanet and the second-highest performing non-selective school in East Kent. It was also rated as the most improved school in Kent between 2019 and 2022 – the last two sets of formal examinations.

5 Comments

  1. Ridiculous system. Costs too much money and the one word ratings are both flawed and patronising

  2. Wow! What an amazing success for all the staff and students. No matter what you think of OFSTED this is a huge achievement for a school in a selective area. Well done all, you should be very proud!

  3. Very well done, and well deserved. Can’t fault the hard work and dedication to their pupils that all the staff aspire to. Amazing

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