Ofsted: Good trending_up Popular emoji_events #59 in Kent public Top 35% UK

Westlands School

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

personMiss Christina Honess

corporate_fareSWALE ACADEMIES TRUST

location_onSittingbourne, ME10 1PF

language Visit Website phone 1795477475

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2019

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Students

1,784

trending_up

Attainment 8

40.6

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GCSE Rank

#56 in Kent

#2,454 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Westlands School is a Academy converter secondary school in Sittingbourne, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted. Demand is above capacity (1.5×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

Westlands School is an academy converter in Sittingbourne, Kent, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of SWALE ACADEMIES TRUST. The school has approximately 1,746 pupils on roll, of whom 30% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 40.6, placing the school #56 in Kent and #2,454 of 3,216 nationally. 35.50% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 8.8% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 10 A-level subjects. 36.7% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 9.2% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.24 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2019. The school's current overall rating is Good.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.5× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 16.8:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 5.3 per 1,000 pupils per term.

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

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

40.6

Grade 5+ E&M

35.50%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)8.8%

Entering EBacc10.90%

EBacc APS3.39

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.38

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

40.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc11.10%

EBacc APS3.32

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.02

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc11%

EBacc APS3.66

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.17

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

42.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc18%

EBacc APS3.48

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc8%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.1

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

42.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc31%

EBacc APS3.6

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.15

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

40.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc11%

EBacc APS3.28

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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)84%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)80%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment8%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)83%

Apprenticeships6%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)87%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

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

Apprenticeships8%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

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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

A-Level Value Added

-0.24

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*2.0%

Achieving A*–A9.2%

Achieving A*–B36.7%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate92.1%

A-level subjects offered10

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.28

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

D+

Students

Retention rate93.90%

2023

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate84.40%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate100.0%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

14 May 2024

Inspection Report

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26 February 2019

Inspection Report

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24 October 2012

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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07 January 2011

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

2 Evaluations

2019-02-26

Exempt School Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2012-10-24

None Legacy

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

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

5.2%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

3.7%(64 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 1,746 pupils. During this period, there were 91 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 5.2%, 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
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,746	91	5.2%	7.3%
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,725	92	5.3%	7.8%
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,754	78	4.4%	7.4%
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,774	72	4.1%	7.1%
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,783	72	4.0%	8.2%
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,765	46	2.6%	6.6%
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,784	47	2.6%	6.4%
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,783	45	2.5%	5.9%
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,779	26	1.5%	4.7%
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,789	26	1.5%	4.9%
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,797	18	1.0%	4.4%
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,725	19	1.1%	3.6%
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,728	4	0.2%	1.0%
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,740	19	1.1%	3.9%
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,648	0	0.0%	0.0%
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,648	24	1.5%	3.2%
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,666	48	2.9%	4.2%
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,613	0	0.0%	3.1%
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,623	32	2.0%	3.8%
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,627	29	1.8%	3.8%
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,637	20	1.2%	3.4%
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,660	14	0.8%	3.0%
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,673	13	0.8%	3.7%
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,622	26	1.6%	3.0%
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,636	25	1.5%	3.3%
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,662	18	1.1%	3.1%

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.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 137 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 94 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 86 pupils

Physical Disability 21 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.

74.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

74.0%Positive

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

26.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree24%

agree45%

disagree19%

strongly disagree8%

don't know4%

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

strongly agree39%

agree50%

disagree7%

strongly disagree3%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree36%

agree26%

disagree15%

strongly disagree12%

don't know1%

not applicable10%

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

yes39%

no61%

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

strongly agree28%

agree27%

disagree18%

strongly disagree24%

dont know3%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree31%

agree44%

disagree14%

strongly disagree4%

don't know7%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree35%

agree39%

disagree16%

strongly disagree9%

don't know1%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree34%

agree49%

disagree11%

strongly disagree5%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree41%

agree50%

disagree4%

strongly disagree2%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree38%

agree46%

disagree6%

strongly disagree2%

don't know9%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree28%

agree36%

disagree17%

strongly disagree8%

don't know10%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes75%

no25%

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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