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OpenSecondaryOfsted: GoodURN 136545

Charles Darwin School

Academy converter · Westerham · TN16 3AU

Ages 11–18 · 1,305 pupils · Bromley

School website

Ofsted

Good

Attainment 8

42.6

Overall absence

10.0%

Admissions demand

0.87 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2023-06-15

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.34
−20+2
Attainment 842.6
English & maths grade 5+38%
English & maths grade 4+59%
EBacc entry15%

EBacc APS: 3.6

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence10.0%
Persistent absence (10%+)31.2%
Unauthorised5.2%
Authorised absence
4.8%
Severe absence (50%+)
3.6%
Enrolments in measure
1,133

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.87 · Often has places

1st preferences

185

Places offered

228

1st-preference offers

169

Total preferences (any rank)
525
Preferred offers (top 3)
228
Applications from outside LA
142
Offers to outside-LA applicants
55
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill96%

1,305 pupils · 1,356 places

Pupils on roll
1,305
Boys / girls
636 / 669
School capacity
1,356
Capacity fill
1,305 / 1,356 (96%)
Free school meals
23.5%
FSM pupils
259
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: LUMERO EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Academy trust
LUMERO EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Headteacher
Mr Aston Smith

Location

Address
Jail Lane, Biggin Hill
Postcode
TN16 3AU
Town
Westerham
County
Kent
Local authority
Bromley
District
Bromley
Constituency
Orpington
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Westerham, Bromley, 1,305 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 23.5%.

Open schools in Westerham
6
Secondary schools in Westerham
1
Academies among open schools in Westerham
67% (4)
Open schools in TN16
7
Secondary in TN16
1
Open schools in Bromley LA
119
Secondary in Bromley LA
19

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in WesterhamNear TN16

  • Meridian High School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Croydon · CR0 0AH · Croydon

    Ages 11–18

    • Att836.0
    • P8-0.7
    • EM5+28%
    • Absence9.4%

    2.4 miles away

  • Biggin Hill Primary School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Westerham · TN16 3LY · Bromley

    Ages 2–11

    • KS247%
    • Absence5.8%
    • FSM13.5%
    • Demand1.00

    0.2 miles away

  • Oaklands Primary Academy

    Ofsted: Requires improvement

    Academy converter · Primary

    Westerham · TN16 3DN · Bromley

    Ages 2–11

    • KS240%
    • Absence7.6%
    • FSM16.1%
    • Demand0.97

    0.9 miles away

  • Downe Primary School

    Academy converter · Primary

    Orpington · BR6 7JN · Bromley

    Ages 4–11

    • KS292%
    • Absence4.7%
    • FSM25.9%
    • Demand1.00

    1.6 miles away

  • Tatsfield Primary School

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy converter · Primary

    Tatsfield · TN16 2AH · Surrey

    Ages 5–11

    • KS264%
    • Absence5.2%
    • FSM6.8%
    • Demand1.20

    1.9 miles away

  • Fairchildes Primary School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy converter · Primary

    Croydon · CR0 0AH · Croydon

    Ages 2–11

    • KS272%
    • Absence6.2%
    • FSM37.1%
    • Demand0.98

    2.4 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Aston Smith
Telephone
01959574043
Website
http://www.cdarwin.com

Official links