SchoolScoresThe Cedars Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of LIONHEART EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Wanlip Lane, Birstall, Leicester, LE4 4GH
0116 267 7107 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 17 January 2018.
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 |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 22 March 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
188 pupils in this year group.
42% — 5 points below the Leicestershire average, and 3 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Leicestershire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 42% | 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. | 45.1 | 46.2 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.2 | 4.1 | 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.
174 pupils in this year group.
92% — about the same as the Leicestershire average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Leicestershire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 92% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 10% | 28% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 7% | 10% | 13% |
| Further education college | 68% | 44% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 92% |
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
12 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Leicestershire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | D+ | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 0% | 23% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 17% | 49% | 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. | 24.4 | 32.9 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
9 subjects, 36 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 9 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| Biology | 6 | 0% | 0% | 27% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Chemistry, Sociology, English Language and Literature, History, Mathematics, Film Studies, Physics.
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.
30 students in this year group.
97% — 14 points above the Leicestershire average, and 18 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Leicestershire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 97% | 83% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 10% | 7% |
| Work | 23% | 30% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 86% | 97% |
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.
57 students in this year group.
56% — 5 points below the Leicestershire average, and 4 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Leicestershire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 56% | 61% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 11% | 17% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 89% | 56% |
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 Leicestershire. 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 one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 180 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 181 |
| Of those, offered a place | 169 (93%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 411 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
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 a SEN unit with 30 places for speech, language and communication needs. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Leicestershire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 21st highest of 36 state secondary schools in Leicester. Higher than 37% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 22.3% | 18.3%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 10th highest of 36 state secondary schools in Leicester. Higher than 65% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.6% | 2.9%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 9th highest of 36 state secondary schools in Leicester. Higher than 66% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.9% | 13.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 29th highest of 36 state secondary schools in Leicester. Higher than 38% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 8.5% | 8.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 18th lowest of 35 state secondary schools in Leicester. Lower than 58% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.9% | 8.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) Joint 17th lowest of 35 state secondary schools in Leicester. Lower than 65% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 20.4% | 21.5%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 26th lowest of 36 state secondary schools in Leicester. Lower than 36% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 20.9 | 19.5 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 20th lowest of 36 state secondary schools in Leicester. Lower than 51% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.6% | 6.6% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.20% | 0.19% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 20th highest of 36 state secondary schools in Leicester. Higher than 61% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.3 | 18.3 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 17th highest of 36 state secondary schools in Leicester. Higher than 54% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.0 | 12.2 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 21st highest of 36 state secondary schools in Leicester. Higher than 43% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 12.1% | 12.2%* | 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
- The Roundhill Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023) · 47% grade 5+ English and maths
- Rushey Mead Academy 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 exceptional · 52% grade 5+ English and maths
- Soar Valley College 1.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 48% grade 5+ English and maths
- Darul Uloom Leicester 2.1 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 0% A*/A at A level
- Babington Academy 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
- Wreake Valley Academy 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 expected, 4 needs attention · 34% grade 5+ English and maths
- Beaumont Leys School 2.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 39% grade 5+ English and maths
- English Martyrs' Catholic School, A Voluntary Academy 2.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 57% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Martin High School Anstey 2.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 44% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Cedars Academy's Ofsted rating?
The Cedars Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 17 January 2018. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 22 March 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did The Cedars Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 42% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 3 points below the England average of 45%.
Is The Cedars Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 181 families put The Cedars Academy as their first choice for 180 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 169 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 140787.
- 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.