John Smeaton Academy
Leeds, LS15 8TA · Leeds · secondary school
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42nd of 45 secondary schools in Leeds we can score. 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 — 1.2/10 against 495 of them, against 0.9/10 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 | 28.2 · 12 | 30% | 0.37 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.9 · 4 | 25% | 0.10 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 36.9 · 9 | 10% | 0.09 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
John Smeaton Academy overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted, last inspected in 2024-06. In 2024/25, 14.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 29.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.9 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (0.2 out of 10 either way).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Law Society, Amnesty International, Programming Club, and Maths Circles Club. Sports include Volleyball, Gymnastics, and Karate. Arts options feature the JSA Choir, Performance Band Club, and Digital Art Club. Trips include an Academy Ski Trip and a visit to Italy. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 677 pupils against a stated capacity of 900. 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 and the national median? What specific strategies are used to improve Progress 8 scores for students starting from similar backgrounds? How does the after-school club integrate with the academic curriculum
What Ofsted said about John Smeaton Academy
Overview
Inspectors describe a “startling transformation” at this academy, noting it is now a “beacon for its community” where pupils, staff, and parents are “right to be proud”. The school has achieved “Good” ratings across all inspection categories, driven by a “rigour with kindness” ethos and a “highly effective curriculum” that is increasingly well taught.
Strengths
- Pupils behave well, showing “warmth and respect” to staff and peers, within an environment where learning thrives.
- Teachers provide “clear explanations” that help pupils comprehend new learning and recall prior knowledge effectively.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are “well supported” and access the curriculum alongside their peers.
- The school offers numerous “enrichment++” clubs and activities, helping pupils develop talents and receive “the gift of choice”.
- Staff promptly identify and support pupils at early stages of learning to read, boosting their confidence.
Areas to improve
- Some pupils do not attend school often enough, missing out on important learning; the school must “review and intensify actions to improve attendance”.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 32.5 |
| 2024/25 | 29.5 |
| 2025/26 | 36.9 |
| 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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