Ofsted: Outstanding

Leigh Academy Snowfields

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

personMrs Dee Pickerill

corporate_fareLEIGH ACADEMIES TRUST

location_onMaidstone, ME14 5GA

language Visit Website phone 1622250050

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Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2023

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Students

175

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Attainment 8

16.5

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GCSE Rank

#119 in Kent

#3,888 of 4,663 nationally

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Leigh Academy Snowfields is a Free schools special school in Maidstone, serving ages 11-18. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade.

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School Summary

Leigh Academy Snowfields is a free schools special in Maidstone, Kent, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It is part of LEIGH ACADEMIES TRUST. The school has approximately 303 pupils on roll, of whom 39% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 16.5, placing the school #119 in Kent and #3,888 of 4,663 nationally. 4.40% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths.

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 pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 10.1:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 8.1 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

16.5

Grade 5+ E&M

4.40%

Entering EBacc0.00%

EBacc APS1.4

2024

Progress 8 Score

-1.7

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

17.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0.00%

EBacc APS1.45

2023

Progress 8 Score

-2.47

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

14.4

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc0%

EBacc APS1.25

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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)90%

Apprenticeships0%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

27 June 2023

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

1 Evaluations

2023-06-27

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

7.6%per term

warning Above Average

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

5.0%(15 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 303 pupils. During this period, there were 23 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 7.6%, 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
2024/25 (Spring term)	303	23	7.6%	7.3%
2024/25 (Autumn term)	302	26	8.6%	7.8%
2023/24 (Summer term)	239	14	5.9%	7.4%
2023/24 (Spring term)	232	13	5.6%	7.1%
2023/24 (Autumn term)	226	8	3.5%	8.2%
2022/23 (Summer term)	176	15	8.5%	6.6%
2022/23 (Spring term)	175	12	6.9%	6.4%
2022/23 (Autumn term)	172	11	6.4%	5.9%
2021/22 (Summer term)	94	12	12.8%	4.7%
2021/22 (Spring term)	85	2	2.4%	4.9%
2021/22 (Autumn term)	82	6	7.3%	4.4%
2020/21 (Summer term)	47	2	4.3%	3.6%
2020/21 (Spring term)	46	0	0.0%	1.0%
2020/21 (Autumn term)	44	0	0.0%	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 282 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 8 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 8 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 2 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 2 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 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.

81.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

83.0%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 agree42%

agree29%

disagree15%

strongly disagree7%

don't know7%

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

strongly agree41%

agree32%

disagree10%

strongly disagree13%

don't know4%

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

strongly agree43%

agree15%

disagree11%

strongly disagree12%

don't know6%

not applicable14%

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

yes98%

no2%

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

strongly agree57%

agree20%

disagree17%

strongly disagree6%

dont know1%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree39%

agree33%

disagree12%

strongly disagree6%

don't know9%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree52%

agree29%

disagree7%

strongly disagree11%

don't know1%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree56%

agree20%

disagree14%

strongly disagree6%

don't know4%

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

strongly agree37%

agree29%

disagree18%

strongly disagree15%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree44%

agree31%

disagree12%

strongly disagree6%

don't know7%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree46%

agree28%

disagree15%

strongly disagree8%

don't know3%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes78%

no22%

Leigh Academy Snowfields

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

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

Staffing

Teacher Turnover