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Leigh Academy Wilmington

Wilmington, DA2 7DR · Kent · secondary school

Ofsted: Outstanding · 2023 Mixed Secondary
OfstedOutstanding
Pupils1381
FSM21.2%
Progress 8+0.23
AI summary of the Ofsted report Inspected 2023-06-27 · Tap to collapse

Generated by AI from the official inspection report — not written by Ofsted or SchoolsGPT staff. Always read the full Ofsted PDF before relying on this summary.

Overview: Wilmington Academy is an exceptional school providing a world-class education for its pupils and sixth formers, with a strong culture of safeguarding and a focus on personal development, welfare, and well-being.

Strengths:

  • The curriculum is carefully considered, meticulously sequenced, and securely embedded, with links across subjects systematically developed in line with the IB philosophy.
  • Teachers have expert subject knowledge and deliver lessons with clarity and enthusiasm, supporting pupils to develop literacy skills and subject-specific language.
  • The school has a strong and committed culture of safeguarding, with leaders ensuring that safeguarding arrangements are robust and effective.
  • Pupils are safe and happy, with exceptional behaviour and a strong sense of respect for one another.
  • The school provides extensive extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities, including trips abroad and clubs supporting art, music, drama, sports, and the wider curriculum.

Areas to improve: The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding: The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a very strong and well-established culture of safeguarding, and leaders ensuring that safeguarding arrangements are robust and effective.

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Catchment / designated area

Same 'nearness' principle applies under the Secondary Co-ordinated Admissions Scheme.

Source: Kent admissions policy

Ofsted judgement breakdown (2023-05-04)

Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Effectiveness of leadership and management
Outstanding
Safeguarding is effective?
Yes
Sixth form provision (where applicable)
Outstanding

What the entrance test covers

The Kent Test has two multiple-choice papers, each roughly an hour long: 1. English & Maths — split into two 30-minute sections: English (reading comprehension, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary) and Maths (Key Stage 2 curriculum up to the start of Year 6). 2. Reasoning — Verbal Reasoning (vocabulary, sequences, logic, analogies) and Non-Verbal/Spatial Reasoning (shapes, rotations, matrices, pattern recognition), combined into a single reasoning score. There is also an unmarked writing task (around 40 minutes including planning time). It isn't scored directly, but may be used by a local headteacher assessment panel for borderline cases. Note: the Kent Test is NOT the same as the Medway Test — Medway is a separate authority with its own different test (separate registration, different papers). Passing one does not qualify a child for the other area's schools (except Chatham Grammar, which accepts either).

Similar schools nearby

Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.

Wilmington Grammar School for Boys 0.1 mi · Secondary · Good · ★ Dartford, DA2 7DA Wilmington Grammar School for Girls 0.2 mi · Secondary · Good · ★ Dartford, DA2 7BB Dartford Science & Technology College 1.1 mi · Secondary · Good Dartford, DA1 2LY Dartford Grammar School for Girls 1.2 mi · Secondary · Outstanding · ★ Dartford, DA1 2NT Dartford Grammar School 1.3 mi · Secondary · Outstanding · ★ Dartford, DA1 2HW Haberdashers' Crayford Academy 1.9 mi · Secondary · Good Dartford, DA1 4RS

Data sourced from GIAS, Ofsted and official Kent admissions publications. Figures can change year to year — always confirm with the school before applying.

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