Leigh Academy Snowfields, based in Maidstone, provides not applicable education, serving pupils aged 11 to 18. The school is a free schools special and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It has a none religious character. The school also offers a sixth form, allowing students to continue into post-16 education on site.
Leigh Academy Snowfields currently has around 303 pupils on roll, which is about 81% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 70.3% boys and 29.7% girls. Around 34.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The school has a diverse intake across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 15.8%. Persistent absence is recorded at 40.9%.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (86.8%).
At its latest Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Outstanding. This indicates exceptional performance across all areas. Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
| Address: | Popesfield Way, Maidstone, ME14 5GA |
| Website: | http://www.snowfieldsacademy.org.uk/ |
| Telephone: | 01622250050 |
| School Type: | Free schools special |
| Education phase: | Not applicable |
| Local authority: | Kent |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Mrs Dee Pickerill |
| Religious character: | None |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 147870 |
Ofsted inspection date: 27/06/2023
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 18 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 372 |
| Number of Pupils: | 303 |
| Number of Boys: | 213 |
| Number of Girls: | 90 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 15.8% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 40.9% | 8.2% |
| White British | 86.80% | 263 |
| Unclassified | 3.60% | 11 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 2.00% | 6 |
| Other Mixed | 1.70% | 5 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 1.00% | 3 |
| White and Black African | 1.00% | 3 |
| African | 1.00% | 3 |
| Indian | 0.70% | 2 |
| White and Asian | 0.70% | 2 |
| Other Black | 0.70% | 2 |
| Caribbean | 0.70% | 2 |
| Other Asian | 0.30% | 1 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.00% | 0 |
| Chinese | 0.00% | 0 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.00% | 0 |
| Other White | 0.00% | 0 |
| Irish | 0.00% | 0 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.00% | 0 |
| Pakistani | 0.00% | 0 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leigh Academy Bearsted Popesfield Way , Weavering ME14 5GA | 4out of 4 | 0 yd | Free schools | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Maidstone, St John's Church of England Primary School Provender Way , Grove Green ME14 5TZ | - not rated | 1,099 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Maidstone, St John's Church of England Primary School Provender Way , Grove Green ME14 5TZ | - not rated | 1,099 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Roseacre Junior School The Landway , Bearsted ME14 4BL | 3out of 4 | 1,397 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Thurnham Church of England Infant School The Landway , Bearsted ME14 4BL | 3out of 4 | 1,452 yd | Voluntary controlled school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School of Science and Technology Maidstone New Cut Road , ME14 5GQ | 4out of 4 | 1,508 yd | Free schools | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Valley Park School Huntsman Lane , ME14 5DT | - not rated | 1,812 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Vinters Boys' School Huntsman Lane , ME14 5DT | - not rated | 1,812 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Boys | More About School |
| Valley Park Community School Huntsman Lane , ME14 5DT | - not rated | 1,812 yd | Foundation school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Invicta Grammar School Huntsman Lane , ME14 5DS | 4out of 4 | 1,946 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Girls | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leigh Academy Snowfields Popesfield Way , ME14 5GA | 4out of 4 | 0 yd | Free schools special | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Eylesden Court Preparatory School Bearsted House , Bearsted ME14 4EB | - not rated | 1,918 yd | Other independent school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Threshold Learning Centre Howard De Walden , Bluett Street ME14 2UG | - not rated | 2,501 yd | Other independent school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Isp Maidstone Melville Road , ME15 7UT | - not rated | 2,934 yd | Other independent school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| MEPA ACADEMY 27 & 29 EARL STREET , MAIDSTONE ME14 1PF | - not rated | 3,061 yd | Other independent school | No | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.