SchoolScoresSchool of Science and Technology Maidstone
Free school · Secondary, ages 11 to 19 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of VALLEY INVICTA ACADEMIES TRUST
New Cut Road, Maidstone, ME14 5GQ
01622 938444 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 24 January 2023.
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 | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| 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
190 pupils in this year group.
47% — about the same as the Kent average, and 2 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 47% | 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. | 48 | 46.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.1 |
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
| 2022/23 | 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|
| Not published | Not published | 47% |
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 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 186 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 303 |
| Of those, offered a place | 167 (55%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 1,168 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.9 · 2025: 1.5 · 2026: 1.6
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 8th highest of 12 state secondary schools in Maidstone. Higher than 14% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 14.0% | 25.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 4th highest of 12 state secondary schools in Maidstone. Higher than 75% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.2% | 2.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 12 state secondary schools in Maidstone. Higher than 84% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 19.2% | 11.5%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 10th highest of 12 state secondary schools in Maidstone. Higher than 48% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.2% | 12.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 5th lowest of 12 state secondary schools in Maidstone. Lower than 79% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 6.6% | 8.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 5th lowest of 12 state secondary schools in Maidstone. Lower than 82% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 16.1% | 22.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 5th lowest of 12 state secondary schools in Maidstone. Lower than 74% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.2 | 13.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 7th lowest of 12 state secondary schools in Maidstone. Lower than 58% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.8% | 6.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 6th highest of 12 state secondary schools in Maidstone. Higher than 78% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.2 | 16.9 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 6th highest of 12 state secondary schools in Maidstone. Higher than 87% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.8 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 4th highest of 12 state secondary schools in Maidstone. Higher than 61% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 15.4% | 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
- Valley Park School 0.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 25% grade 5+ English and maths
- Invicta Grammar School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 93% grade 5+ English and maths
- Maidstone Grammar School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 92% grade 5+ English and maths
- Mepa Academy 1.0 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
- Maidstone Grammar School for Girls 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 88% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Maplesden Noakes School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 28% grade 5+ English and maths
- New Line Learning Academy 1.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 18% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Augustine Academy 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 expected, 1 needs attention · 20% grade 5+ English and maths
- Oakwood Park Grammar School 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 93% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Simon Stock Catholic School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is School of Science and Technology Maidstone's Ofsted rating?
School of Science and Technology Maidstone was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 24 January 2023.
How did School of Science and Technology Maidstone do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 47% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 2 points above the England average of 45%.
Is School of Science and Technology Maidstone oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 303 families put School of Science and Technology Maidstone as their first choice for 186 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 167 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 144716.
- 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.