CDS Secures GOOD Grade from OFSTED
Posted on: 17/05/2023The Charles Dickens School has secured a Good grade from OFSTED following their inspection on 28 and 29 March.
The report describes the school as “supportive, innovative and inclusive”; that “Pupils are happy and safe”; that “Behaviour and attitudes are very positive” and “A strong work ethic pervades”. It states that, “Relationships are harmonious, kind and supportive.”
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.”
This inspection result has come on the back of the school’s excellent exam results in 2022. CDS was the highest performing non-selective school in Thanet, the second-highest performing non-selective school in East Kent, and the most improved school in Kent between 2019 and 2022 – the last two sets of formal examinations. To give further indication of the improvement during this period, CDS was the 33rd most improved school in the country, out of more than 5000 schools.
