Lift Sir Herbert Leon
Milton Keynes, MK2 3HQ · Milton Keynes · secondary school
Check the area around this school
10th of 14 secondary schools in Milton Keynes we can score, 15 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 5.7/10 against 313 of them, against 3.1/10 nationally. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 47.0 · 56 | 46% | 2.56 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -1.02 · 2 | 38% | 0.09 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 42.6 · 32 | 15% | 0.49 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Lift Sir Herbert Leon overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 24.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 33.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -1.02 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than nationally matched peers. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (1.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 589 pupils against a stated capacity of 750. 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 from similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about Lift Sir Herbert Leon
Overview
Sir Herbert Leon Academy has achieved “considerable improvement” since its previous inspection, with pupils recognising a cultural shift towards high expectations and achievement. The report describes a school where pupils “enjoy learning and work with focus and purpose,” supported by a “strong and close community” that fosters confidence and respect.
Strengths
- The curriculum is “broad and ambitious,” with knowledge arranged to build understanding, leading to stronger outcomes than previous data suggested.
- Teachers possess “secure subject knowledge” and effectively support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) using specific strategies.
- Behaviour is “calm and orderly,” with staff consistently applying routines and taking “prompt action” when expectations are not met.
- The school promotes a “love of reading,” ensuring pupils encounter diverse texts and receive extra sessions if they struggle.
- Personal, social and health education is “comprehensive,” helping pupils develop informed opinions and prepare for life beyond school.
Areas to improve
- In a few subjects, teachers do not routinely check how well pupils remember earlier learning, leaving some with “gaps in their understanding.”
- A “significant number of pupils are absent too often,” missing key learning opportunities and failing to achieve as well as their peers.
- The strategy to help absent pupils catch up on missed learning is not yet “followed consistently well.”
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 | 36.3 |
| 2024/25 | 33.7 |
| 2025/26 | 42.6 |
| 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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