Located in Wilmington, Leigh Academy Wilmington is a secondary school, serving pupils aged 11 to 19. The school is a academy sponsor led and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school. The school also offers a sixth form, allowing students to continue into post-16 education on site.
Leigh Academy Wilmington currently has around 1381 pupils on roll, which is about 99% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 60.8% boys and 39.2% girls. Around 21.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The student population reflects a mixed community across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 8.4%. Persistent absence is recorded at 24.2%. The school also includes resourced provision, supporting 17 pupils.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (73.2%).
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.
Around 94% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (83%) , including 46% who stay in school sixth forms and 36% progressing to further education , while 11% enter apprenticeships .
| Address: | Common Lane, Wilmington, DA2 7DR |
| Website: | www.wilmingtonacademy.org.uk |
| Telephone: | 01322272111 |
| School Type: | Academy sponsor led |
| Education phase: | Secondary |
| Local authority: | Kent |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Mr Michael Gore |
| Religious character: | Does not apply |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 136205 |
Ofsted inspection date: 04/05/2023
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 19 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 1400 |
| Number of Pupils: | 1381 |
| Number of Boys: | 840 |
| Number of Girls: | 541 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 8.4% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 24.2% | 8.2% |
| White British | 73.20% | 1011 |
| African | 8.20% | 113 |
| Other White | 4.30% | 59 |
| Other Mixed | 2.80% | 38 |
| Indian | 2.50% | 35 |
| Other Asian | 1.50% | 21 |
| White and Black African | 1.30% | 18 |
| White and Asian | 1.30% | 18 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 1.10% | 15 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.80% | 11 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 0.70% | 10 |
| Unclassified | 0.70% | 9 |
| Chinese | 0.50% | 7 |
| Pakistani | 0.40% | 6 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.40% | 5 |
| Caribbean | 0.10% | 2 |
| Other Black | 0.10% | 2 |
| Irish | 0.10% | 1 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.00% | 0 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington Primary School Common Lane , Wilmington DA2 7DF | 3out of 4 | 315 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Wilmington Primary School Common Lane , Wilmington DA2 7DF | - not rated | 315 yd | Foundation school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Joydens Wood Infant School Park Way , DA5 2JD | - not rated | 1,200 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Joydens Wood Infant School Park Way , DA5 2JD | 3out of 4 | 1,200 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Joydens Wood Junior School Birchwood Drive , Wilmington DA2 7NE | - not rated | 1,299 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington Enterprise College Common Lane , Wilmington DA2 7DR | - not rated | 0 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Leigh Academy Wilmington Common Lane , DA2 7DR | 4out of 4 | 0 yd | Academy sponsor led | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Wilmington Grammar School for Boys Common Lane , Wilmington DA2 7DA | 3out of 4 | 147 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Boys | More About School |
| Wilmington Grammar School for Boys Common Lane , Wilmington DA2 7DA | - not rated | 147 yd | Foundation school | Not Applicable | Boys | More About School |
| Wilmington Grammar School for Girls Parsons Lane , DA2 7BB | 3out of 4 | 343 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Girls | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Kent College Oakfield Lane , DA1 2JT | - not rated | 891 yd | Further education | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barn End Centre High Road , Wilmington DA2 7DP | - not rated | 756 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| North West Kent Behaviour Service High Road , Wilmington DA2 7DP | - not rated | 851 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | More About School | |
| Furness School Rowhill Road , Hextable BR8 7RP | - not rated | 1,779 yd | Community special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| The Annex School House Pembroke House , Leydenhatch Lane BR8 7PS | - not rated | 3,263 yd | Other independent special school | No | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.