Cornwallis Academy
Maidstone, ME17 4HX · Kent · secondary school
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62nd of 99 secondary schools in Kent we can score, 103 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 1.7/10 against 690 of them, against 1.6/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 27.4 · 11 | 30% | 0.32 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.33 · 25 | 25% | 0.63 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 37.2 · 10 | 10% | 0.10 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Cornwallis Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 35.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 38.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.33 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than nationally similar peers. Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (3.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.6 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,402 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,825. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their current Attainment 8 score and the national median? What specific strategies are in place to improve Progress 8 scores for students from similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about Cornwallis Academy
Overview
Cornwallis Academy continues to be a good school, characterised by a strong community ethos and supportive relationships. Pupils are described as happy and safe, benefiting from high behavioural expectations and a well-planned, ambitious curriculum that promotes personal development and academic success.
Strengths
- Pupils exhibit "calm and orderly" conduct, showing "respect and tolerance for one another" within a supportive environment.
- The curriculum is "well planned, carefully considered and precisely sequenced," ensuring pupils "master content and learn more and remember more."
- Teachers are "knowledgeable and enthusiastic," creating a positive atmosphere where "low-level disruption is rare" and pupils engage confidently.
- Personal development is robust, with a "well-established careers programme" and extensive enrichment opportunities, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
- Staff feel "valued and respected," supported by leadership that fosters a culture of "trust, challenge and encouragement."
Areas to improve
- Leaders must increase the uptake of modern foreign languages to raise the proportion of pupils gaining the English Baccalaureate (EBacc).
- Curriculum implementation needs to be "securely and consistently embedded across all subjects," particularly where staffing shortages have impacted progress.
- Personal, social and health education requires "much broader coverage of age-appropriate topics in the sixth form."
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a "strong and secure culture" ensuring staff are updated, the single central record is well kept, and the school is "tenacious in resolving safeguarding issues."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 37.9 |
| 2024/25 | 38.6 |
| 2025/26 | 37.2 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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