SchoolScoresDartford Science and Technology College
Foundation school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Girls only · Sixth form
Heath Lane, Dartford, DA1 2LY
01322 224309 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 21 April 2026 , published 17 June 2026.
In short: 1 strong, 6 expected, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Strong standard Second of five grades. Better than the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Post-16 provisionSixth form or other study after 16. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
145 pupils in this year group.
55% — 8 points above the Kent average, and 9 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 55% | 47% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 49.1 | 46.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
147 pupils in this year group.
94% — about the same as the Kent average, and 2 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 94% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 50% | 56% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 3% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 37% | 28% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 94% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
54 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | D+ | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 2% | 26% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 18% | 53% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 23.8 | 34.9 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
9 subjects, 99 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 17 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 15 | 0% | 7% | 14% |
| History | 13 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Biology | 11 | 0% | 0% | 27% |
| Business Studies:Single | 10 | 0% | 0% | 16% |
| English Literature | 9 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Geography | 9 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Chemistry | 8 | 0% | 0% | 30% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 7 | 0% | 14% | 38% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
69 students in this year group.
86% — 6 points above the Kent average, and 7 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 86% | 80% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 7% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 25% | 30% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 85% | 86% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
49 students in this year group.
45% — 13 points below the Kent average, and 15 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 45% | 58% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 6% | 20% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 53% | 45% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Kent. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 148 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 172 |
| Of those, offered a place | 122 (71%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 580 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.3 · 2026: 1.2
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 6th highest of 9 state secondary schools in Dartford. Higher than 37% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 22.3% | 25.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 9 state secondary schools in Dartford. Higher than 29% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.1% | 2.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 9 state secondary schools in Dartford. Higher than 69% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.4% | 11.5%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 6th highest of 9 state secondary schools in Dartford. Higher than 61% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.7% | 12.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 8th lowest of 9 state secondary schools in Dartford. Lower than 49% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.4% | 8.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 7th lowest of 9 state secondary schools in Dartford. Lower than 45% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 24.5% | 22.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 5th lowest of 9 state secondary schools in Dartford. Lower than 86% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.1 | 13.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 5th lowest of 9 state secondary schools in Dartford. Lower than 85% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 2.8% | 6.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.12% | 0.03% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 8th highest of 9 state secondary schools in Dartford. Higher than 36% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.2 | 16.9 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 9th highest of 9 state secondary schools in Dartford. Higher than 31% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.0 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 8th highest of 9 state secondary schools in Dartford. Higher than 29% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 10.1% | 13.6%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Dartford Grammar School for Girls 0.1 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 exceptional, 3 strong · 95% grade 5+ English and maths
- Dartford Grammar School 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 99% grade 5+ English and maths
- Wilmington Grammar School for Girls 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 89% grade 5+ English and maths
- Wilmington Grammar School for Boys 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 90% grade 5+ English and maths
- Leigh Academy Wilmington 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
- Haberdashers' Crayford Academy 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 40% grade 5+ English and maths
- Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2023 · 35% grade 5+ English and maths
- Leigh UTC Dartford 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 exceptional, 5 strong · 43% grade 5+ English and maths
- Stone Lodge School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 23% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Columba's Catholic Boys' School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 53% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Dartford Science and Technology College's Ofsted rating?
Dartford Science and Technology College was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 21 April 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 1 strong, 6 expected, and safeguarding was met.
How did Dartford Science and Technology College do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 55% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 9 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Dartford Science and Technology College oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 172 families put Dartford Science and Technology College as their first choice for 148 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 122 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 118785.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.