SchoolScoresLeigh Academy Snowfields
Special free school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of LEIGH ACADEMIES TRUST
Popesfield Way, Weavering, Maidstone, ME14 5GA
01622 250050 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 27 June 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 |
| 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
45 pupils in this year group.
4% — 43 points below the Kent average, and 41 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 4% | 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. | 16.5 | 46.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 1.4 | 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.
21 pupils in this year group.
90% — 3 points below the Kent average, and 2 points below 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. | 90% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 0% | 56% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 29% | 28% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 0% | 2% | 3% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
This is a special school for children with an education, health and care plan (EHCP). Places are arranged through the council's SEND team, not the normal admissions round. It caters for: Autism.
| Pupils | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years | 39.0% | 48.2%* | 51.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan | 100.0% | 98.5%* | 99.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support | 0.0% | 0.5%* | 0.5% |
| English as an additional language | 0.0% | 5.8%* | 14.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) | 17.4% | 14.3%* | 12.8% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) | 39.9% | 39.5%* | 35.3% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils | 24.4 | 18.3 | 12.3 |
| Pupils suspended at least once | 11.9% | 6.8% | 5.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Pupils per teacher | 9.6 | 6.6 | 6.6 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) | 3.4 | 2.2 | 2.3 |
| Teachers who left during the year | 17.9% | 15.7%* | 14.3%* |
Comparisons are with special schools. * 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 special schools
- Serenity School Maidstone 1.9 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 strong, 3 expected
- King's Reach Education 2.2 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 strong, 3 expected
- Five Acre Wood School 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Leigh Academy Snowfields's Ofsted rating?
Leigh Academy Snowfields was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 27 June 2023.
How did Leigh Academy Snowfields do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 4% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 41 points below the England average of 45%.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 147870.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.