SchoolScoresDover Christ Church Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of TURNER SCHOOLS
Melbourne Avenue, Dover, CT16 2EG
01304 820126 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 18 October 2022. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
133 pupils in this year group.
8% — 39 points below the Kent average, and 37 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 8% | 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. | 30.4 | 46.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 2.4 | 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.
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 one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 131 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 137 |
| Of those, offered a place | 117 (85%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 349 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 1.0
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
Specialist SEND provision: this school has a SEN unit with 72 places for profound and multiple learning difficulties. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Dover. Higher than 89% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 50.6% | 25.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 6 state secondary schools in Dover. Higher than 100% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.6% | 2.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Dover. Higher than 80% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 18.1% | 11.5%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Dover. Higher than 21% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.8% | 12.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Dover. Lower than 54% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.1% | 8.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Dover. Lower than 28% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 28.0% | 22.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Dover. Lower than 77% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.6 | 13.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Dover. Lower than 74% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.0% | 6.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Dover. Higher than 7% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 14.0 | 16.9 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Dover. Higher than 1% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.6 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Dover. Higher than 86% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 22.2% | 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- St Edmund's Catholic School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 34% grade 5+ English and maths
- Dover Grammar School for Girls 1.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 75% grade 5+ English and maths
- Duke of York's Royal Military School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 61% grade 5+ English and maths
- Dover Grammar School for Boys 1.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 93% grade 5+ English and maths
- Dover College 1.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 17% A*/A at A level
- Astor Secondary School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 expected, 5 needs attention · 10% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Dover Christ Church Academy's Ofsted rating?
Dover Christ Church Academy was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 18 October 2022.
How did Dover Christ Church Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 8% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 37 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Dover Christ Church Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 137 families put Dover Christ Church Academy as their first choice for 131 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 117 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 150278.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.