SchoolScoresLeigh Academy Tonbridge
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of LEIGH ACADEMIES TRUST
Brook Street, Tonbridge, TN9 2PH
01732 500600 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 6 December 2022.
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 | Outstanding |
| 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
73 pupils in this year group.
30% — 17 points below the Kent average, and 15 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. | 43.1 | 46.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.1 | 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.
72 pupils in this year group.
96% — 3 points above the Kent average, and 4 points above 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. | 96% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 46% | 56% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 39% | 28% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 89% | 96% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
19 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | D+ | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 0% | 26% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 16% | 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. | 22.9 | 34.9 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
7 subjects, 31 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | 9 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Mathematics | 8 | 0% | 0% | 40% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: History, Physics, Sociology, English Language and Literature, Biology.
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.
32 students in this year group.
91% — 11 points above the Kent average, and 12 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. | 91% | 80% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 63% | 30% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 76% | 91% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 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.
36 students in this year group.
42% — 16 points below the Kent average, and 18 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 42% | 58% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 3% | 20% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 41% | 42% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 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.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 179 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 137 |
| Of those, offered a place | 137 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 637 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.1 · 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 2nd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Tonbridge. Higher than 64% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 33.0% | 25.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Tonbridge. Higher than 54% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.1% | 2.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 4th highest of 7 state secondary schools in Tonbridge. Higher than 20% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.7% | 11.5%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Tonbridge. Higher than 42% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.5% | 12.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Tonbridge. Lower than 68% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.3% | 8.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 5th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Tonbridge. Lower than 47% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 24.1% | 22.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 7th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Tonbridge. Lower than 39% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 19.2 | 13.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 7th lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Tonbridge. Lower than 35% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.7% | 6.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.42% | 0.03% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Tonbridge. Higher than 99% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 22.5 | 16.9 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Tonbridge. Higher than 92% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 14.4 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 3rd highest of 7 state secondary schools in Tonbridge. Higher than 79% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 19.5% | 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.
Nearby secondary schools
- The Judd School 0.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 98% grade 5+ English and maths
- Tonbridge Grammar School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2019), confirmed 2024 · 98% grade 5+ English and maths
- Weald of Kent Grammar School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 95% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hillview School for Girls 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 52% grade 5+ English and maths
- Tonbridge School 1.0 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 73% A*/A at A level
- Hilden Grange School 1.3 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Somerhill 1.7 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Leigh Academy Hugh Christie 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023, before conversion) · 30% grade 5+ English and maths
- Sackville School 2.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 6% A*/A at A level
- St Gregory's Catholic School 2.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 42% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Leigh Academy Tonbridge's Ofsted rating?
Leigh Academy Tonbridge was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 6 December 2022.
How did Leigh Academy Tonbridge do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 30% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 15 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Leigh Academy Tonbridge oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 137 families put Leigh Academy Tonbridge as their first choice for 179 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 137 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 136349.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.