SchoolScoresLeigh Academy Bearsted
Free school · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Nursery class
Part of LEIGH ACADEMIES TRUST
Popesfield Way, Weavering, Maidstone, ME14 5GA
01622 250040 · 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 |
| Early years | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
28 pupils in this year group.
75% — 13 points above the Kent average, and 13 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 75% | 62% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 4% | 10% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 89% | 75% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 86% | 74% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 82% | 71% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 104 | 105 |
Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, over time
| 2022/23 | 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|
| Not published | Not published | 75% |
Source: DfE key stage 2 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 primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 47 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 36 |
| Of those, offered a place | 36 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 154 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.8 · 2026: 0.8
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 40th highest of 46 state primary schools in Maidstone. Higher than 21% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 11.1% | 27.2%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 36th highest of 46 state primary schools in Maidstone. Higher than 14% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.3% | 3.0%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 19th highest of 46 state primary schools in Maidstone. Higher than 45% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 13.6% | 13.8%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 13th highest of 46 state primary schools in Maidstone. Higher than 75% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 27.2% | 15.8%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 18th lowest of 46 state primary schools in Maidstone. Lower than 57% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.8% | 5.5%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 15th lowest of 46 state primary schools in Maidstone. Lower than 60% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 10.1% | 14.4%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 23rd lowest of 46 state primary schools in Maidstone. Lower than 42% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.5 | 3.0 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 26th lowest of 46 state primary schools in Maidstone. Lower than 31% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.3% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 46 state primary schools in Maidstone. Higher than 99% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 33.2 | 20.5 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 46 state primary schools in Maidstone. Higher than 96% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 15.3 | 10.3 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 11th highest of 43 state primary schools in Maidstone. Higher than 80% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 23.1% | 14.4%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary 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 primary schools
- Maidstone, St John's CofE Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 83% met expected standard (KS2)
- Roseacre Junior School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 73% met expected standard (KS2)
- Thurnham CofE Infant School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Valley Invicta Primary School At East Borough 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 strong, 1 expected · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- Madginford Primary School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2023 · 61% met expected standard (KS2)
- Sandling Primary School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Paul's Infant School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), confirmed 2025
- North Borough Junior School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
- Greenfields Community Primary School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025 · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
- Park Way Primary School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024 · 53% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Leigh Academy Bearsted's Ofsted rating?
Leigh Academy Bearsted was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 24 January 2023.
How did Leigh Academy Bearsted do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 75% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 13 points above the England average of 62%.
Is Leigh Academy Bearsted oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 36 families put Leigh Academy Bearsted as their first choice for 47 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 36 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 147866.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.