Bennett Memorial Diocesan School is a secondary school in Tunbridge Wells, serving pupils aged 11 to 18. The school is a academy converter and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It has a church of england religious character. The school also offers a sixth form, allowing students to continue into post-16 education on site.
Bennett Memorial Diocesan School currently has around 1892 pupils on roll, which is about 130% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 51.6% boys and 48.4% girls. Around 9.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. Pupil backgrounds are varied across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 5.3%. Persistent absence is recorded at 11.5%.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (68.2%).
At its latest Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Outstanding. This indicates exceptional performance across all areas. Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
Around 98% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (96%) , including 76% who stay in school sixth forms and 18% progressing to further education , while 1% enter apprenticeships .
| Address: | Culverden Down, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9SH |
| Website: | https://www.bennettmemorial.co.uk/ |
| Telephone: | 01892521595 |
| School Type: | Academy converter |
| Education phase: | Secondary |
| Local authority: | Kent |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Dr Karen Brookes |
| Religious character: | Church of England |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 136603 |
Ofsted inspection date: 13/12/2023
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 18 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 1452 |
| Number of Pupils: | 1892 |
| Number of Boys: | 977 |
| Number of Girls: | 915 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 5.3% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 11.5% | 8.2% |
| White British | 68.20% | 1291 |
| Other White | 8.80% | 167 |
| Other Mixed | 5.90% | 111 |
| Unclassified | 3.50% | 67 |
| Chinese | 2.90% | 54 |
| African | 2.70% | 52 |
| White and Asian | 2.00% | 37 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 1.50% | 29 |
| Indian | 1.40% | 27 |
| Bangladeshi | 1.20% | 22 |
| White and Black African | 0.60% | 12 |
| Other Black | 0.30% | 6 |
| Pakistani | 0.30% | 5 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 0.20% | 4 |
| Other Asian | 0.20% | 4 |
| Irish | 0.20% | 3 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.10% | 1 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.00% | 0 |
| Caribbean | 0.00% | 0 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bishops Down Primary and Nursery School Rydal Drive , TN4 9SU | 2out of 4 | 557 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| The Wells Free School King Charles Square , TN4 8FA | 3out of 4 | 1,231 yd | Free schools | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St Augustine's Catholic Primary School Wilman Road , TN4 9AL | 3out of 4 | 1,486 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St Augustine's Catholic Primary School Wilman Road , TN4 9AL | - not rated | 1,486 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Southborough CofE Primary School Broomhill Park Road , Southborough TN4 0JY | 3out of 4 | 1,512 yd | Voluntary controlled school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bennett Memorial Diocesan School Culverden Down , TN4 9SH | 4out of 4 | 0 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Bennett Memorial Diocesan School Culverden Down , TN4 9SH | - not rated | 0 yd | Voluntary aided school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Huntleys Secondary School for Boys Culverden Down , TN4 9SH | - not rated | 0 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Boys | More About School |
| Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School Southfield Road , TN4 9UJ | 4out of 4 | 829 yd | Foundation school | No | Girls | More About School |
| The Skinners' School St John's Road , TN4 9PG | 3out of 4 | 1,003 yd | Academy converter | No | Boys | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Hill School Coniston Avenue , TN4 9SY | - not rated | 359 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| The Opportunities Centre Broomhill Bank School , Risthall TN3 0TB | - not rated | 969 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Broomhill Bank School Broomhill Road , Rusthall TN3 0TB | 3out of 4 | 969 yd | Foundation special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| OA Tunbridge Wells St Johns Road , TN4 9TX | 1out of 4 | 1,161 yd | Academy alternative provision sponsor led | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Two Bridges School Charles Street , Southborough TN4 0DS | - not rated | 1,614 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.