SchoolScoresThe Malling School
Foundation school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of The Malling Holmesdale Federation
Beech Road, East Malling, West Malling, ME19 6DH
01732 840995 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 28 March 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 | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| 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
162 pupils in this year group.
27% — 21 points below the Kent average, and 19 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 27% | 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. | 41 | 46.7 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.6 | 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.
182 pupils in this year group.
93% — about the same as 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. | 93% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 49% | 56% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 1% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 31% | 28% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 7% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 93% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. 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.
34 students in this year group.
82% — 2 points above the Kent average, and 3 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. | 82% | 80% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 9% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 29% | 30% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 82% | 82% |
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.
43 students in this year group.
53% — 5 points below the Kent average, and 7 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Kent | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 53% | 58% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 12% | 20% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 44% | 53% |
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 | 150 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 247 |
| Of those, offered a place | 146 (59%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 616 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.9 · 2025: 1.8 · 2026: 1.6
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 121 places for speech, language and communication needs; 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 43rd highest of 103 state secondary schools in Kent. Higher than 59% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 30.6% | 25.1%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 103 state secondary schools in Kent. Higher than 100% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.4% | 2.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 67th highest of 103 state secondary schools in Kent. Higher than 18% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 9.3% | 11.5%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 103rd highest of 103 state secondary schools in Kent. Higher than 2% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.2% | 12.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 56th lowest of 102 state secondary schools in Kent. Lower than 49% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.4% | 8.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 58th lowest of 102 state secondary schools in Kent. Lower than 36% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 26.3% | 22.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 44th lowest of 103 state secondary schools in Kent. Lower than 72% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.7 | 13.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 42nd lowest of 103 state secondary schools in Kent. Lower than 71% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.3% | 6.0% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 101st highest of 104 state secondary schools in Kent. Higher than 2% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 12.8 | 16.9 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 99th highest of 104 state secondary schools in Kent. Higher than 4% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.8 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 37th highest of 103 state secondary schools in Kent. Higher than 66% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 16.4% | 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
- Aylesford School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 20% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Holmesdale School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 35% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Helens Montessori School 3.0 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024)
- St Simon Stock Catholic School 3.0 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Malling School's Ofsted rating?
The Malling School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 28 March 2023.
How did The Malling School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 27% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 19 points below the England average of 45%.
Is The Malling School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 247 families put The Malling School as their first choice for 150 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 146 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 118897.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 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.