Ofsted: Outstanding trending_up High Demand emoji_events #40 in Kent public Top 22% UK

Leigh Academy Wilmington

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Michael Gore

corporate_fareLEIGH ACADEMIES TRUST

location_onWilmington, DA2 7DR

language Visit Website phone 1322272111

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Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2023

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Students

1,388

trending_up

Attainment 8

45.4

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GCSE Rank

#41 in Kent

#1,662 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Leigh Academy Wilmington is a Academy sponsor led secondary school in Wilmington, serving ages 11-19. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade. Highly competitive: 1.6× more applications than places — plan well ahead.

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School Summary

Leigh Academy Wilmington is an academy sponsor led in Wilmington, Kent, admitting pupils aged 11-19. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of LEIGH ACADEMIES TRUST. The school has approximately 1,381 pupils on roll, of whom 23% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 45.4, placing the school #41 in Kent and #1,662 of 3,216 nationally. 45.20% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 12.5% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. The school's current overall rating is Outstanding. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Outstanding, behaviour and attitudes Outstanding, personal development Outstanding, and leadership and management Outstanding.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.6× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 22.4:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 3.1 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

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Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

45.4

Grade 5+ E&M

45.20%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)12.5%

Entering EBacc83.30%

EBacc APS4.21

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.23

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc85.20%

EBacc APS4.31

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.11

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.0

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc21%

EBacc APS3.75

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.01

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc18%

EBacc APS3.94

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc16%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.06

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

42.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc15%

EBacc APS3.39

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.06

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc29%

EBacc APS3.46

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

90%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)85%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)82%

Apprenticeships7%

Employment7%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)85%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)91%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

2024

2023

2022

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

04 May 2023

Inspection Report

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24 February 2022

Inspection Report

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21 February 2017

Inspection Report

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21 May 2013

Inspection Report

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02 May 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2023-05-04

S5 Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

Outstanding

Behaviour

Outstanding

Development

Outstanding

Leadership

Outstanding

2017-02-21

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2013-05-21

Academy First Section 5 Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

2009-03-17

None EIF

Inadequate

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Inadequate

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

1.9%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

1.4%(20 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,381 pupils. During this period, there were 26 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 1.9%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,381	26	1.9%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,397	60	4.3%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,374	50	3.6%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,374	25	1.8%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,384	42	3.0%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,379	14	1.0%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,388	20	1.4%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,396	22	1.6%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,334	23	1.7%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,355	21	1.5%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,353	27	2.0%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,335	16	1.2%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,344	7	0.5%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,348	26	1.9%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,295	1	0.1%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,295	26	2.0%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,298	27	2.1%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,209	27	2.2%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,216	25	2.1%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,227	18	1.5%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,151	22	1.9%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,156	14	1.2%	3.0%	1
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,166	34	2.9%	3.7%	1
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,101	23	2.1%	3.0%	1
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,106	56	5.1%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,113	23	2.1%	3.1%	1

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 72 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 44 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 38 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 35 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 23 pupils

Physical Disability 6 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 6 pupils

Visual Impairment 2 pupils

Multi-Sensory Impairment 1 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

78.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

85.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

20.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree35%

agree44%

disagree11%

strongly disagree8%

don't know2%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree40%

agree42%

disagree12%

strongly disagree5%

don't know1%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree27%

agree29%

disagree11%

strongly disagree11%

don't know1%

not applicable20%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes40%

no60%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree36%

agree32%

disagree10%

strongly disagree21%

dont know3%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree39%

agree39%

disagree9%

strongly disagree8%

don't know5%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree36%

agree40%

disagree9%

strongly disagree8%

don't know7%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree36%

agree39%

disagree17%

strongly disagree6%

don't know2%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree40%

agree45%

disagree9%

strongly disagree1%

don't know5%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree46%

agree47%

disagree3%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree28%

agree44%

disagree9%

strongly disagree10%

don't know9%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes79%

no21%

Top Secondary Schools in Kent

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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Outstanding

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Outstanding

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Dartford Grammar School for Girls

Outstanding

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Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School

Outstanding

location_on Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9UJ

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Invicta Grammar School

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View all schools in Kent arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Kent

Dartford Grammar School

The Judd School

Tonbridge Grammar School

Dartford Grammar School for Girls

Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School

Invicta Grammar School