Ofsted: Outstanding trending_up Popular emoji_events #3 in Milton Keynes public Top 12% UK

Watling Academy

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

personMr Ian Bacon

corporate_fareTHE DENBIGH ALLIANCE

location_onMilton Keynes, MK8 1EP

language Visit Website phone 1908794094

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Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

841

trending_up

Attainment 8

50.4

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GCSE Rank

#3 in Milton Keynes

#886 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Watling Academy is a Free schools secondary school in Milton Keynes, serving ages 11-18. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade. Demand is above capacity (1.5×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

Watling Academy is a free schools in Milton Keynes, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It is part of THE DENBIGH ALLIANCE. The school has approximately 1,500 pupils on roll, of whom 24% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 50.4, placing the school #3 in Milton Keynes and #886 of 3,216 nationally. 55.20% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 21.3% 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 1.5× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 18.4:1. There are 2 teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 4.7 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

50.4

Grade 5+ E&M

55.20%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)21.3%

Entering EBacc72.40%

EBacc APS4.74

2024

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc-%

EBacc APS-

2023

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc-%

EBacc APS-

2022

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc-%

EBacc APS-

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc-%

EBacc APS-

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

16 May 2023

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

1 Evaluations

2023-05-16

S5 Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

Outstanding

Behaviour

Outstanding

Development

Outstanding

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

4.1%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.5%(38 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 1,500 pupils. During this period, there were 62 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 4.1%, 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)	1,500	62	4.1%	7.3%
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,509	79	5.2%	7.8%
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,204	105	8.7%	7.4%
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,203	86	7.1%	7.1%
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,201	123	10.2%	8.2%
2022/23 (Summer term)	842	50	5.9%	6.6%
2022/23 (Spring term)	841	41	4.9%	6.4%
2022/23 (Autumn term)	841	25	3.0%	5.9%
2021/22 (Summer term)	480	24	5.0%	4.7%
2021/22 (Spring term)	480	18	3.8%	4.9%
2021/22 (Autumn term)	476	10	2.1%	4.4%
2020/21 (Summer term)	179	5	2.8%	3.6%
2020/21 (Spring term)	180	1	0.6%	1.0%
2020/21 (Autumn term)	179	5	2.8%	3.9%

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 54 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 38 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 27 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 24 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 23 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 6 pupils

Hearing Impairment 4 pupils

Physical Disability 4 pupils

Visual Impairment 3 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.

89.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

92.0%Positive

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

28.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree49%

agree36%

disagree8%

strongly disagree3%

don't know4%

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

strongly agree40%

agree45%

disagree10%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree44%

agree20%

disagree6%

strongly disagree4%

don't know2%

not applicable25%

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

yes19%

no81%

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

strongly agree50%

agree19%

disagree17%

strongly disagree8%

dont know6%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree54%

agree36%

disagree5%

strongly disagree1%

don't know4%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree53%

agree39%

disagree3%

strongly disagree3%

don't know3%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree50%

agree41%

disagree5%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree48%

agree46%

disagree3%

strongly disagree1%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree68%

agree31%

disagree1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree44%

agree37%

disagree5%

strongly disagree4%

don't know9%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes94%

no6%

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Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

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 Milton Keynes

Denbigh School

Oakgrove School

Kents Hill Park all-through school

E-Act Ousedale School

Walton High

The Hazeley Academy