Watling Academy, based in Milton Keynes, provides secondary education, serving pupils aged 11 to 18. The school is a free schools 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.
Watling Academy currently has around 1500 pupils on roll, which is about 67% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 51.4% boys and 48.6% girls. Around 22.7% 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 7.1%. Persistent absence is recorded at 20.2%.
The school has a diverse intake, with white british pupils forming the largest group at around 41.7%.
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: | Barrosa Way, Milton Keynes, MK8 1EP |
| Website: | https://watlingacademy.net/ |
| Telephone: | 01908794094 |
| School Type: | Free schools |
| Education phase: | Secondary |
| Local authority: | Milton Keynes |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Mrs Emma Anderson |
| Religious character: | None |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 147860 |
Ofsted inspection date: 16/05/2023
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 18 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 2250 |
| Number of Pupils: | 1500 |
| Number of Boys: | 771 |
| Number of Girls: | 729 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 7.1% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 20.2% | 8.2% |
| White British | 41.70% | 626 |
| Indian | 9.50% | 142 |
| African | 9.30% | 140 |
| Other White | 9.20% | 138 |
| Pakistani | 7.60% | 114 |
| Other Asian | 4.70% | 70 |
| Other Mixed | 4.00% | 60 |
| White and Asian | 2.60% | 39 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 2.10% | 32 |
| Chinese | 1.90% | 28 |
| White and Black African | 1.60% | 24 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 1.50% | 23 |
| Other Black | 1.50% | 23 |
| Caribbean | 1.10% | 16 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.50% | 8 |
| Unclassified | 0.50% | 7 |
| Irish | 0.30% | 4 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.30% | 4 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.10% | 2 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watling Primary School Simmental Way , Whitehouse MK8 1GB | - not rated | 320 yd | Free schools | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Whitehouse Primary School Vaynol Way , Whitehouse MK8 1AG | 3out of 4 | 609 yd | Free schools | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Fairfields Primary School Apollo Avenue , Fairfields MK11 4BA | 3out of 4 | 1,113 yd | Free schools | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ashbrook School The High Street , Two Mile Ash MK8 8NA | 3out of 4 | 1,514 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ashbrook School The High Street , Two Mile Ash MK8 8NA | - not rated | 1,514 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watling Way Middle School Galley Hill , Stony Stratford MK11 1PA | - not rated | 2,608 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watling Academy Barrosa Way , MK8 1EP | 4out of 4 | 0 yd | Free schools | No | Mixed | More About School |
| The Hazeley Academy Emperor Drive , Hazeley MK8 0PT | 3out of 4 | 1,933 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Hazeley School Emperor Drive , Hazeley MK8 0PT | - not rated | 1,933 yd | Foundation school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Denbigh School Burchard Crescent , Shenley Church End MK5 6EX | 3out of 4 | 2,692 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Denbigh School Burchard Crescent , Shenley Church End MK5 6EX | - not rated | 2,692 yd | Foundation school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Woodlands School Admiral Drive , Hazeley MK8 0PU | 3out of 4 | 1,937 yd | Community special school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Milton Keynes Secure Training Centre Chalgrove Field , Off Otterburn Crescent MK5 6AH | - not rated | 2,283 yd | Secure units | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Oakhill Secure Training Centre Chalgrove Field , Off Otterburn Crescent MK5 6AJ | - not rated | 2,329 yd | Secure units | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Milton Keynes Wheelright Motor Project 7-8 Hollin Lane , Stacey Bushes MK12 6HT | - not rated | 2,781 yd | Other independent school | No | Boys | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.