Ofsted: Requires improvement trending_up Places Available emoji_events #15 in Bexley public Top 43% UK

Welling School

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

personMr Brian Griffen

corporate_fareTHE KEMNAL ACADEMIES TRUST

location_onWelling, DA16 1LB

language Visit Website phone 2083048531

verified

Ofsted

Requires improvement

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

1,345

trending_up

Attainment 8

34.7

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#15 in Bexley

#3,038 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Welling School is a Academy converter secondary school in Welling, serving ages 11-18. Currently Requires Improvement according to Ofsted — the school is working to raise standards.

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School Summary

Welling School is an academy converter in Welling, Bexley, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of THE KEMNAL ACADEMIES TRUST. The school has approximately 1,087 pupils on roll, of whom 35% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 34.7, placing the school #15 in Bexley and #3,038 of 3,216 nationally. 26.70% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 9.7% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 11 A-level subjects. 22.5% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 2.8% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.33 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

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

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 0.6× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 20.7:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 6 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 15.1 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

34.7

Grade 5+ E&M

26.70%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)9.7%

Entering EBacc11.00%

EBacc APS2.86

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.82

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

36.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc19.00%

EBacc APS3.15

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.97

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

33.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc16%

EBacc APS2.71

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.86

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

37.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc29%

EBacc APS3.09

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc15%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.56

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

37.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc8%

EBacc APS2.98

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.51

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

38.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc30%

EBacc APS3.15

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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

87%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)77%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)10%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

89%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)78%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment8%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)9%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)84%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)8%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

91%

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

Apprenticeships3%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

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

Apprenticeships4%

Employment6%

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

-0.33

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*–A2.8%

Achieving A*–B22.5%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate77.8%

A-level subjects offered11

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.2

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate64.00%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate93.80%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate76.9%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

04 October 2023

Inspection Report

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04 May 2023

Inspection Report

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08 February 2022

Inspection Report

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09 May 2018

Inspection Report

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26 January 2017

Inspection Report

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05 February 2015

Inspection Report

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07 February 2013

Inspection Report

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09 May 2012

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

5 Evaluations

2023-10-04

Serious Weaknesses S5 Reinspection EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2022-02-08

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 EIF

Inadequate

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Inadequate

Development

Requires improvement

Leadership

Requires improvement

2018-05-09

S5 Inspection Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

2017-01-26

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2015-02-05

None Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

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

Suspension Rate

15.5%per term

warning Above Average

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

9.6%(104 pupils)

Spring term 2025

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

Permanent Exclusions

2pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,087 pupils. During this period, there were 168 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 15.5%, which is above 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)	1,087	168	15.5%	7.3%	2
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,069	158	14.8%	7.8%	4
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,151	240	20.9%	7.4%	5
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,145	228	19.9%	7.1%	3
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,139	168	14.7%	8.2%	4
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,325	155	11.7%	6.6%	2
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,345	219	16.3%	6.4%	5
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,366	291	21.3%	5.9%	3
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,521	224	14.7%	4.7%	1
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,539	322	20.9%	4.9%	3
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,548	220	14.2%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,509	101	6.7%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,514	30	2.0%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,522	107	7.0%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,516	2	0.1%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,516	211	13.9%	3.2%	3
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,527	278	18.2%	4.2%	1
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,437	154	10.7%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,448	182	12.6%	3.8%	1
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,454	38	2.6%	3.8%	8
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,411	21	1.5%	3.4%	2
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,428	13	0.9%	3.0%	2
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,438	21	1.5%	3.7%	4
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,430	19	1.3%	3.0%	1
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,459	30	2.1%	3.3%	2
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,464	27	1.8%	3.1%	2

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

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psychology_alt

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 68 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 55 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 29 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 29 pupils

Physical Disability 9 pupils

Hearing Impairment 3 pupils

Visual Impairment 2 pupils

health_and_safety

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.

57.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

49.0%Positive

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

17.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree2%

agree19%

disagree34%

strongly disagree36%

don't know9%

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

strongly agree9%

agree19%

disagree34%

strongly disagree34%

don't know4%

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

strongly agree23%

agree19%

disagree19%

strongly disagree30%

not applicable9%

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.

strongly agree13%

agree32%

disagree28%

strongly disagree23%

don't know4%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree17%

agree36%

disagree21%

strongly disagree19%

don't know6%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree9%

agree30%

disagree34%

strongly disagree26%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree17%

agree55%

disagree13%

strongly disagree13%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree17%

agree49%

disagree15%

strongly disagree2%

don't know17%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree17%

agree26%

disagree28%

strongly disagree23%

don't know6%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes36%

no64%

Top Secondary Schools in Bexley

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School

Good

location_on Sidcup, DA15 9AG

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Bexley Grammar School

Outstanding

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Townley Grammar School

Outstanding

location_on Bexleyheath, DA6 7AB

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Beths Grammar School

Good

location_on Bexley, DA5 1NE

emoji_events #4 in LA

St Catherine's Catholic School

Good

location_on Bexleyheath, DA6 7QJ

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St Columba's Catholic Boys' School

Good

location_on Bexleyheath, DA6 7QB

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View all schools in Bexley 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 Bexley

Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School

Bexley Grammar School

Townley Grammar School

Beths Grammar School

St Catherine's Catholic School

St Columba's Catholic Boys' School