The Malling School
West Malling, ME19 6DH · Kent · secondary school
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59th 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 — 2.0/10 against 745 of them, against 2.0/10 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 | 26.6 · 10 | 30% | 0.29 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.21 · 34 | 25% | 0.85 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 39.3 · 16 | 10% | 0.16 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Malling School overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted, last inspected in 2023. In 2024/25, 26.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 41.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.21 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 (2.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.2 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,051 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,003. 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
Since the Progress 8 score is below 0, what specific support is available for pupils who are not meeting expected progress? How do the breakfast and after-school clubs operate during term time?
What Ofsted said about The Malling School
Overview
The Malling School is described as an "exceptionally inclusive and ambitious community" where leaders place "pupils’ character development at the heart of everything." The report highlights "exemplary" behaviour and a strong sense of belonging, noting that the school has made "significant improvements" since its previous inspection.
Strengths
- Pupils display "exemplary" behaviour, with "extremely high expectations of themselves and each other" and a culture where bullying is not accepted.
- The school is "exceptionally well led," with a "remarkable sense of teamwork among staff" who value the "excellent training they receive."
- The curriculum is "broad and challenging," with knowledge that "grows in depth and complexity over time" through thoughtful sequencing.
- Provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is a "significant strength," with "highly effective support" enabling access to the full curriculum.
- Sixth-form students act as "positive role models" and receive "regular, unbiased advice" on career pathways and university options.
Areas to improve
- A small number of teachers do not "check what pupils know and understand carefully enough before moving them on to more complex concepts," causing some pupils to struggle with making links in their learning.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff being "alert to any changes in behaviour" and reporting concerns promptly to ensure pupils’ safety and well-being.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 40.5 |
| 2024/25 | 41.0 |
| 2025/26 | 39.3 |
| 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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