SchoolScoresLeigh Academy Hugh Christie
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of LEIGH ACADEMIES TRUST
White Cottage Road, Tonbridge, TN10 4PU
01732 353544 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 11 October 2023. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
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 | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
137 pupils in this year group.
30% — 17 points below the Kent average, and 16 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 30% | 47% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 40.5 | 46.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.5 | 4.2 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
155 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 118903), before it changed to its current form.
92% — 2 points below the Kent average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 92% | 94% | 93% |
| School sixth form | 48% | 58% | 36% |
| Sixth form college | 1% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 33% | 26% | 35% |
| Apprenticeship | 1% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 9% | 4% | 4% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2023/24 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
38 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 16% | 26% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 36% | 53% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 29.9 | 34.9 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
15 subjects, 80 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 9 | 33% | 33% | 40% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 8 | 0% | 13% | 26% |
| Biology | 8 | 0% | 0% | 27% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 8 | 0% | 13% | 14% |
| Chemistry | 7 | 0% | 0% | 30% |
| History | 7 | 0% | 29% | 23% |
| Physics | 6 | 0% | 33% | 31% |
| Sociology | 6 | 0% | 17% | 20% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design, Design and Technology (Product Design), English Literature, Geography, Mathematics (Further), Business Studies:Single, German.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
87 students in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 118903), before it changed to its current form.
85% — 5 points above the Kent average, and 5 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 85% | 80% | 80% |
| Apprenticeship | 7% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 43% | 30% | 28% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2023/24 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
51 students in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 118903), before it changed to its current form.
37% — 27 points below the Kent average, and 29 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 37% | 64% | 66% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 4% | 25% | 24% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2023/24 performance tables. 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 secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 160 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 83 |
| Of those, offered a place | 83 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 242 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.6 · 2025: 0.5 · 2026: 0.5
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
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 22 places for autism. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Tonbridge. Higher than 76% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 39.8% | 25.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Tonbridge. Higher than 84% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.9% | 2.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Tonbridge. Higher than 31% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 11.3% | 11.5%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 6th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Tonbridge. Higher than 27% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.9% | 12.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 7th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Tonbridge. Lower than 17% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.7% | 8.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 7th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Tonbridge. Lower than 10% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 34.0% | 22.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 6th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Tonbridge. Lower than 45% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 16.7 | 13.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 5th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Tonbridge. Lower than 44% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.4% | 6.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.39% | 0.03% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 5th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Tonbridge. Higher than 67% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.6 | 16.9 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 7th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Tonbridge. Higher than 52% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.9 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Tonbridge. Higher than 90% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 24.7% | 13.6%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- Hilden Grange School 0.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Tonbridge School 1.0 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 73% A*/A at A level
- Hillview School for Girls 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 52% grade 5+ English and maths
- Sackville School 1.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 6% A*/A at A level
- The Judd School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 98% grade 5+ English and maths
- Leigh Academy Tonbridge 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 30% grade 5+ English and maths
- Tonbridge Grammar School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2019), confirmed 2024 · 98% grade 5+ English and maths
- Weald of Kent Grammar School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 95% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hadlow Rural Community School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 30% grade 5+ English and maths
- Somerhill 2.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Leigh Academy Hugh Christie's Ofsted rating?
Leigh Academy Hugh Christie was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 11 October 2023.
How did Leigh Academy Hugh Christie do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 30% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 16 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Leigh Academy Hugh Christie oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 83 families put Leigh Academy Hugh Christie as their first choice for 160 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 83 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 150743.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2023/24, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2023/24, Going on to university 2023/24.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.