SchoolScoresLeigh Academy Wilmington
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 19 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of LEIGH ACADEMIES TRUST
Common Lane, Wilmington, DA2 7DR
01322 272111 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 4 May 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 |
| Sixth form | 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
228 pupils in this year group.
45% — 2 points below the Kent average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 45% | 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. | 45.4 | 46.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.2 | 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.
232 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 | 38% | 56% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 3% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 43% | 28% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 90% |
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
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | Not published | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | – | 26% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | – | 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. | Not published | 34.9 | 35 |
"Not published": No pupils were entered.
Average A level grade, over time
| 2022/23 | 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|
| Not published | Not published | Not published |
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.
100 students in this year group.
84% — 4 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. | 84% | 80% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 12% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 37% | 30% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 81% | 84% |
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.
58 students in this year group.
38% — 20 points below the Kent average, and 22 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 38% | 58% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 9% | 20% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 46% | 38% |
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 about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 221 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 324 |
| Of those, offered a place | 202 (62%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 1,146 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.6 · 2025: 1.5 · 2026: 1.5
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 17 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 60th highest of 103 state secondary schools in Kent. Higher than 39% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 22.7% | 25.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 28th highest of 103 state secondary schools in Kent. Higher than 78% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.4% | 2.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 48th highest of 103 state secondary schools in Kent. Higher than 40% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.4% | 11.5%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 71st highest of 103 state secondary schools in Kent. Higher than 35% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.5% | 12.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 47th lowest of 102 state secondary schools in Kent. Lower than 56% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.0% | 8.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 48th lowest of 102 state secondary schools in Kent. Lower than 50% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 23.5% | 22.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 42nd lowest of 103 state secondary schools in Kent. Lower than 74% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.5 | 13.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 48th lowest of 103 state secondary schools in Kent. Lower than 65% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.0% | 6.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 8th highest of 104 state secondary schools in Kent. Higher than 96% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 20.4 | 16.9 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 6th highest of 104 state secondary schools in Kent. Higher than 96% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 15.4 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 15th highest of 103 state secondary schools in Kent. Higher than 85% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 21.8% | 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
- Wilmington Grammar School for Boys 0.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 90% grade 5+ English and maths
- Wilmington Grammar School for Girls 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 89% grade 5+ English and maths
- Dartford Science and Technology College 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 55% grade 5+ English and maths
- Dartford Grammar School for Girls 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 exceptional, 3 strong · 95% grade 5+ English and maths
- Dartford Grammar School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 99% grade 5+ English and maths
- Haberdashers' Crayford Academy 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 40% grade 5+ English and maths
- Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2023 · 35% grade 5+ English and maths
- Beths Grammar School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 98% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Columba's Catholic Boys' School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2024 · 53% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Catherine's Catholic School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 59% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Leigh Academy Wilmington's Ofsted rating?
Leigh Academy Wilmington was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 4 May 2023.
How did Leigh Academy Wilmington do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 45% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, about the same as the England average of 45%.
Is Leigh Academy Wilmington oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 324 families put Leigh Academy Wilmington as their first choice for 221 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 202 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 136205.
- 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.