School Chooser

Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School

Secondary · ages 11-18GirlsFoundation (grammar)1,123 pupilsSixth formTunbridge WellsKent
School Chooser Score
98
Well above
similar schools
Likely range 96 to 99
Out of 100. Better than 62% of the 50 schools most like it. Much the same over the last five years.
OfstedOutstandingLast Ofsted inspection, September 2023
Strong pass in English and maths98%England 46%
Attendance94.9%England 91.4%
Pupils from low-income families4%Far fewer than most schools
PlacesFull1,123 pupils, 1,119 places
Pupils per teacher17.4School workforce census

Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School is a foundation school in Tunbridge Wells for girls aged 11 to 18. It has 1,123 pupils, 4 more than it has places for. About 4 in every 100 pupils come from a low-income family, far fewer than at most schools in England. We give it 98 out of 100. That puts it well above schools like it, ahead of 62% of the 50 schools most like it. Ofsted's last grade was outstanding, back in 2023.

Southfield Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9UJ01892 520902twggs.kent.sch.ukMrs Katie Marchant headteacherAll details

What Ofsted found

Ofsted's last full inspection was on 19 September 2023, back when it gave schools one overall grade. Read the report on Ofsted's website.

Outstanding overall.

TeachingOfsted calls this “quality of education”
Outstanding
BehaviourOfsted calls this “behaviour and attitudes”
Outstanding
WellbeingOfsted calls this “personal development”
Outstanding
LeadershipOfsted calls this “leadership and management”
Outstanding
Sixth formOfsted calls this “post-16”
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Effective
Yes

Results

GCSE results, summer 2025

144 pupils sat their GCSEs. Here is how they did against every state secondary in England.

Average GCSE score73.4
England 46.8
Official name: Attainment 8
Strong pass in English and maths98%
England 46%
Official name: Grade 5+ in English and maths
Standard pass in English and maths99%
England 66%
Official name: Grade 4+ in English and maths
Progress from age 11+0.77In each subject, pupils here finished most of a grade ahead of children across England who started secondary school at the same level. (From 2023/24, the latest year there is. The government didn't work it out for the 2025 year group.)Official name: Progress 8
Trend
Average GCSE score
2018 to 2025
2018: 73.873.820182019: 73.873.820192022: 75.675.620222023: 73.173.120232024: 70.170.120242025: 73.473.42025
Since 2018: -0.4Steady overall
All GCSE measures, year by year
Measure202520242023202220192018KentEngland
Pupils at the end of Year 11144144145142149144
Average GCSE scoreAttainment 873.470.173.175.673.873.847.846.8
Progress from age 11Progress 8+0.77+1.05+0.88+0.97+0.93
Strong pass in English and mathsGrade 5+ in English and maths98%94%97%99%95%96%48%46%
Standard pass in English and mathsGrade 4+ in English and maths99%99%100%100%99%99%67%66%
Core subjects scoreEBacc average point score7.226.857.197.397.187.294.284.15
Taking the core subjectsEBacc entry96%90%97%89%92%99%48%41%
Average GCSE score: low-income pupilsAttainment 8, disadvantaged70.166.3
Average GCSE score: other pupilsAttainment 8, non-disadvantaged70.176.1
Average GCSE score: pupils who started aheadAttainment 8, high prior attainers70.874.778.074.873.5

Subjects

Results came out for 20 GCSE subjects in 2025. Each figure is the share of pupils who got a grade 5 or better, next to the average for state secondaries in England.

Strongest subjects

Combined Science94%grades 9 to 5, England 36%
Design & Technology100%grades 9 to 5, England 50% · 23rd of 1,478 schools
Geography97%grades 9 to 5, England 51% · 81st of 3,116 schools
Mathematics99%grades 9 to 5, England 53% · 72nd of 3,211 schools
What is taught hereOffers triple science, 3 languages, computer science, music.

The small number is how many pupils sat each subject. Subjects with fewer than six pupils aren't published.

Every subject against England, 2025
Mathematics143 entries · 4th of 101 in Kent
99%England 53%
English Literature143 entries · 6th of 100 in Kent
97%England 58%
English Language143 entries · 1st of 101 in Kent
99%England 54%
Chemistry125 entries · 15th of 64 in Kent
96%England 81%
Biology125 entries · 14th of 67 in Kent
98%England 82%
Physics125 entries · 12th of 64 in Kent
98%England 82%
History86 entries · 7th of 98 in Kent
97%England 52%
Geography85 entries · 5th of 99 in Kent
97%England 51%
French67 entries · 3rd of 65 in Kent
96%England 60%
Spanish61 entries · 1st of 64 in Kent
98%England 54%
Computer Science43 entries · 2nd of 55 in Kent
100%England 56%
German40 entries · 4th of 21 in Kent
98%England 63%
Art and Design36 entries · 1st of 81 in Kent
100%England 58%
Drama32 entries · 5th of 31 in Kent
97%England 60%
Religious Studies29 entries · 7th of 45 in Kent
97%England 60%
Physical Education28 entries · 20th of 45 in Kent
79%England 56%
Design & Technology27 entries · 3rd of 43 in Kent
100%England 50%
Economics25 entries · 2nd of 7 in Kent
92%England 70%
94%England 36%
Music13 entries
100%England 61%
SubjectEntriesGrades 9 to 7Grades 9 to 5Grades 9 to 4England 9 to 5Rank in England
Mathematics14366%99%99%53%72 of 3,211
English Literature14363%97%99%58%66 of 3,202
English Language14359%99%100%54%30 of 3,210
Chemistry12562%96%100%81%731 of 2,537
Biology12570%98%100%82%521 of 2,570
Physics12567%98%100%82%550 of 2,546
History8669%97%99%52%60 of 3,126
Geography8585%97%100%51%81 of 3,116
French6764%96%99%60%82 of 1,974
Spanish6192%98%100%54%16 of 1,941
Computer Science4374%100%100%56%18 of 1,861
German4065%98%100%63%31 of 571
Art and Design3692%100%100%58%11 of 2,818
Drama3266%97%100%60%34 of 844
Religious Studies2966%97%100%60%66 of 1,825
Physical Education2850%79%100%56%283 of 1,559
Design & Technology2778%100%100%50%23 of 1,478
Economics2564%92%100%70%19 of 142
Combined Science1828%94%100%36%
Music1354%100%100%61%

In combined science each pupil gets two grades and we count the lower one. Rankings only include state secondaries where 20 or more pupils sat the subject.

A level and sixth-form results, 2025

154 students finished sixth-form courses.

Average A level gradeB+42.3 points per entry
A level progress+0.02Against students elsewhere with the same GCSE grades. 0 is average.
AAB or better29%with two subjects universities favour
Stayed and finished99%of students who started
All sixth-form measures, year by year
Measure202520242023202220192018
Students154122136142303304
Average A level points per entryA level APS per entry42.2744.4042.1948.5542.5343.71
Average A level gradeB+B+B+AB+B+
Best three A levelsBest 3 A levels APS42.1944.4642.2648.3542.9644.59
AAB or better in subjects universities likeAAB+ in two facilitating subjects29%30%25%41%29%36%
A level progressA level value added+0.02+0.20+0.11-0.06
Stayed and finishedRetained and assessed99%98%98%98%97%99%

A level subjects

17 A level subjects had results in 2025. Each figure is the share of students who got an A* to B, next to the average for state sixth forms in England. When only a handful of students take a subject, its figures jump around from year to year.

Strongest A levels

Psychology87%A* to B, England 46% · 47 entries
Sociology86%A* to B, England 49% · 35 entries
Fine Art100%A* to B, England 65% · 11 entries
History90%A* to B, England 55% · 20 entries
A levels taught hereThe small number is how many students sat each one in 2025.
SubjectsBiology60Psychology47Mathematics45Geography45English Literature44Chemistry38Sociology35History20Economics19Drama and Theatre Studies18Spanish17Physics17Fine Art11French10Government and Politics10Religious Studies9German6
Every A level subject against England, 2025
Biology60 entries · 40% A* or A · 97% passed
72%England 49%
Psychology47 entries · 57% A* or A · 100% passed
87%England 46%
Mathematics45 entries · 40% A* or A · 98% passed
62%England 60%
Geography45 entries · 53% A* or A · 100% passed
76%England 51%
English Literature44 entries · 36% A* or A · 100% passed
71%England 52%
Chemistry38 entries · 32% A* or A · 97% passed
66%England 53%
Sociology35 entries · 54% A* or A · 100% passed
86%England 49%
History20 entries · 65% A* or A · 100% passed
90%England 55%
Economics19 entries · 47% A* or A · 95% passed
68%England 57%
Drama and Theatre Studies18 entries · 28% A* or A · 100% passed
83%England 54%
Spanish17 entries · 71% A* or A · 100% passed
88%England 59%
Physics17 entries · 35% A* or A · 100% passed
47%England 51%
Fine Art11 entries · 91% A* or A · 100% passed
100%England 65%
French10 entries · 20% A* or A · 100% passed
40%England 60%
Government and Politics10 entries · 30% A* or A · 100% passed
80%England 55%
Religious Studies9 entries · 22% A* or A · 100% passed
67%England 50%
German6 entries · 67% A* or A · 100% passed
67%England 59%

A levels only. BTECs, T levels and other courses are in the table above. Subjects with fewer than five students aren't published.

Getting a place

Grammar school. This is a grammar school, so places depend on an entrance test.

A few spare places1,092 pupils for 1,161 places, 2024/25
94% full

About 69 places were empty, so most families who apply get in, though a popular year group can still fill up. Pupil numbers have grown by 9% since 2021/22, so places are getting harder to come by.

Each council publishes its own figures on how many families applied and how far away the last child to get a place lived. We are adding councils one at a time. If you have a link to Kent council's admissions booklet, send it to us.

Who goes here

Who a school teaches matters. That is why our score compares it with schools that take in a similar mix of children, not with every school in the country.

Pupils on roll1,123Census January 2026
Places1,119100% full
Pupils from low-income families4%4% have had free school meals at some point in the last six years
Pupils learning English14%First language is not English
Pupils getting extra support5%50 pupils with SEN support
Pupils with an EHC plan0%3 pupils with a plan
Average class size23.446 classes, January 2026; England 22.8
Classes with more than 30 pupils7%share of one-teacher classes; England 12%
Pupils with extra funding (pupil premium)4%£36,300 extra funding in 2026/27; England 30%
Boys and girls0 / 1,123
White British pupils62%

The most common needs among pupils getting extra support: Specific learning difficulty (20), Autistic spectrum disorder (11), emotional and mental health (8), Other difficulty or disability (7), language and communications needs (2), Hearing impairment (1).

How the mix of pupils has changed
Census202620252024202320222021
Pupils on roll1,1231,0951,0429841,0081,023
Pupils from low-income familiesFree school meals4%4%3%2%3%2%
Pupils learning EnglishEnglish as an additional language14%13%11%7%6%5%
Pupils getting extra supportSEN support12%11%11%14%9%
Pupils with an EHC planEducation, health and care plans0%0%0%0%0%

Attendance and behaviour

In 2024/25 pupils were in school 94.9% of the time. Across similar schools in England it was 91.4%.

Attendance94.9%
England 91.4%
Official name: 100 minus overall absence
Pupils missing a lot of school17.6%
England 23.9%
Official name: Persistent absence
Suspensions per 100 pupils1.92024/25, no permanent exclusions
Missed without permission0.3%of school time, 2024/25
Attendance year by year
Measure2024/252023/242022/232021/222020/212018/19England
Sessions missedOverall absence5.1%4.8%7.0%8.4%3.7%4.1%8.6%
Missed with permissionAuthorised absence4.8%4.5%6.7%8.2%3.7%4.0%
Missed without permissionUnauthorised absence0.3%0.4%0.3%0.2%0.1%0.1%
Pupils missing a lot of schoolPersistent absence17.6%10.8%26.0%30.8%7.4%7.5%23.9%
SuspensionsSuspension rate1.91.32.20.90.1
Permanent exclusionsPermanent exclusions00100

What pupils do next

After GCSEs

Where the 145 pupils who left in 2022/23 were a year later.

Still in education, work or training99%and stayed there for at least six months
Earlier years
Destination2022/23 leavers2021/22 leavers2020/21 leavers2019/20 leavers
Still in education, work or training99%99%99%100%
Education99%99%99%100%
Apprenticeship0%0%0%0%
Work0%0%1%0%
Not in education, work or training1%1%0%0%

After sixth form

Where the 135 pupils who left in 2022/23 were a year later.

Still in education, work or training91%and stayed there for at least six months

Where the ones heading for university went

Went on to degree-level study or training90%England 72%
Top-third universities69%England 22%. The universities that ask for the highest grades
Higher or degree apprenticeship1%England 6%
Higher technical course1%Level 4 or 5, such as an HNC or HND
Earlier years
Destination2022/23 leavers2021/22 leavers2020/21 leavers2019/20 leavers
Still in education, work or training91%90%92%
Education68%69%72%
Apprenticeship1%0%1%1%
Work22%21%19%
Not in education, work or training6%7%7%

Staff and money

From the government's count of school staff in November 2025 and the school's published accounts.

Teachers64.7full-time equivalent, 73 people
Pupils per teacher17.4Pupils for every full-time teacher
Fully qualified teachers100%hold qualified teacher status
Teaching assistants4.6full-time equivalent
Average teacher pay£53,555
Teachers who left in the year3%2024/25, for any reason including retirement
Vacancies0
Sick days per teacher3.22024/25

Money

From the council school accounts, year to March 2025. The per-pupil figures are compared with other secondary schools in England that report their accounts the same way.

Spend per pupil£6,400England £8,524. Total £7.0m
Income per pupil£6,439England £8,454. Total £7.1m
Spent on teachers per pupil£3,826England £4,610
Money in reserve4%Not much put by: £246k, £224 per pupil. England 5%
Money in against money out+£42kit took in more than it spent this year
Where the money goes£6,400spent per pupil

Reserves are the money left over at the end of the year, kept back for emergencies and big projects. Being in the red year after year is a warning sign. Very large reserves can mean money sitting in the bank instead of being spent on today's pupils. Academy figures are rounded to the nearest £1,000 and include a share of any money the trust holds centrally.

The area around the school

Crimes within 500 m17012 months to June 2026, mostly violence and sexual offences
Local crime rate39 per 1,000 people58% lower than the England average
Typical house price£435,000Tunbridge Wells
Nearest bus stop170 mEast Cliff Road, 9 stops within 500 m

Crime figures come from police.uk. The police record each crime at the nearest of a fixed set of map points rather than the exact spot, so “within 500 m” is only rough. House prices are from HM Land Registry sales nearby over the last two years.

Nearby schools

The closest secondary schools, nearest first. Hover over a row to see it on the map.

Well aboveAboveIn lineBelowWell belowNot scored
SchoolTypeDistancePupilsOfstedScore
The Skinners' SchoolAcademy (grammar)290 m1,149Report card 202698Compare
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for BoysCouncil (grammar)700 m1,875Report card 202688Compare
St Gregory's Catholic SchoolAcademy750 m1,093No overall grade 202449Compare
Bennett Memorial Diocesan SchoolAcademy760 m1,913Outstanding 202392Compare
Skinners' Kent AcademyAcademy1.5 miles1,017Good 202339Compare
Tonbridge Grammar SchoolAcademy (grammar)2.8 miles1,150Outstanding 201998Compare
Weald of Kent Grammar SchoolAcademy (grammar)2.9 miles1,913No overall grade 202490Compare
Leigh Academy TonbridgeAcademy3.0 miles807Good 202253Compare

Compared with schools like it

Our score compares Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School with the 50 schools in England whose pupils are most like its own. We match on family income, how many children are learning English, special needs, the neighbourhood, the size of the school and how it admits pupils. Those 50 schools are dotted all over the country, so we don't list them. What matters is where this school sits among them.

Beats62%of schools with a similar mix of pupils
In the upper half of its group. Its score of 98 is about the same as the typical school in the group.
0Lowest of the group 81 · middle 97 · highest 100100

How the score was worked out

The score is out of 100. A 98 means that once everything below is added up, this school comes out ahead of 98% of secondary schools in England. Results bounce around from year to year, especially in small schools, so we also show a likely range: 96 to 99. Every part is judged against schools with a similar mix of pupils. For small schools we pull each part towards the group average, so one unusual year can't swing the score too far.

What we looked atHow much it countsAgainst schools like itEffect on the scoreBased on
Results over three years20%well above
+0.56
2025, 2024 and 2023 results; 144 pupils
Ofsted inspection20%well above
+0.34
Ofsted grade, 3.0 years old
Progress pupils make20%well above
+0.32
DfE progress measure; 144 pupils
Direction of travel over five years10%above
+0.06
results and attendance rising year on year
Attendance and behaviour10%well above
+0.11
2024/25; 803 pupils
Results, allowing for the mix of pupils10%in line
+0.00
Attainment relative to schools with a similar intake; 144 pupils
What pupils do next5%well above
+0.08
145 pupils
What parents say0%no data

Worked out on 13 September 2026 (method v1). Read how the score works, including every weight and the checks we run. Think a number is wrong? Tell us.

Questions parents ask

Is Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School a good school?

Yes, going by the figures. Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School scores 98 out of 100. That is well above schools that take in a similar mix of pupils, and ahead of 62% of the 50 schools most like it in England. The score could fairly be anywhere from 96 to 99, so a few points either way between schools doesn't mean much.

What is Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School's Ofsted rating?

Ofsted rated Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School outstanding at its last full inspection on 19 September 2023.

How good are Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School's GCSE results?

In summer 2025, 98% of pupils got a grade 5 or better in both English and maths. Across England it was 46%. Its Attainment 8 score, which is the average grade across a pupil's best eight subjects times ten, was 73.4, against 46.8 for England. In each subject, pupils here finished most of a grade ahead of children across England who started secondary school at the same level.

How many pupils does Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School have?

1,123 pupils aged 11 to 18 were on the roll in January 2026. It has 1,119 places, so it is 100% full. It is a girls' school.

Is Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School oversubscribed?

Probably not. 69 places were empty in 2024/25 (6% of the total), so most families who apply get a place. As a grammar school, places depend on the entrance test first.

Does Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School have an entrance exam?

Yes. It is a grammar school, so places depend on an entrance test, usually sat in September of Year 6. Check the school's admissions page for the test dates and the pass mark.

What is attendance like at Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School?

Pupils were in school 94.9% of the time in 2024/25. Similar schools in England managed 91.4%. 18% of pupils missed at least a tenth of the year.

How big are the classes at Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School?

The average class had 23.4 pupils in January 2026. Across England it was 22.8. 7% of classes had more than 30 pupils.

Does Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School have a sixth form?

Yes. The average A level grade in 2025 was B+. 17 A level subjects had results in 2025; the full list is in the results section.

These answers come straight from the figures on this page and update when new data comes out.

Contact and details

Address
Southfield Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9UJ
Telephone
01892 520902
Website
www.twggs.kent.sch.uk
Headteacher
Mrs Katie Marchant
Type of school
Foundation school (Foundation school, local authority maintained schools)
Phase
Secondary school, ages 11-18, with sixth form
Gender
Girls
Religious character
None
Local authority
Kent
Ward
Culverden
Constituency
Tunbridge Wells
Setting
Urban: Further from a major town or city
URN
118789 · LAESTAB 8864043 · UKPRN 10007075

Recent changes

  • New KS4 results for 2024/25

Where these figures come from