Walton Academy
Grantham, NG31 7JR · Lincolnshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
32nd of 54 secondary schools in Lincolnshire we can score. 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 — 3.2/10 against 564 of them, against 2.0/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 25.9 · 9 | 30% | 0.26 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.16 · 38 | 25% | 0.95 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 37.8 · 12 | 10% | 0.12 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Walton Academy overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted, with the last inspection in 12/2022. In 2024/25, 26.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 41.1, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.16 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (3.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 822 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 Attainment 8 score and the national median? What specific strategies are used to improve Progress 8 scores for students from similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about Walton Academy
Overview
Walton Academy is a welcoming and orderly school where pupils feel supported and behave well. The curriculum is ambitious and well-structured, enabling most pupils to achieve well, while leaders provide strong governance and effective support for those with special educational needs.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate core values of being ‘ready, respectful and responsible’ and enjoy a wide range of extracurricular activities that build confidence.
- Teachers generally possess strong subject knowledge and enthusiasm, delivering the curriculum effectively with clear presentations.
- Leaders quickly identify pupils falling behind in reading and provide targeted support to improve speed and fluency.
- The sixth form offers a high-quality experience with supportive teachers and opportunities for students to mentor younger pupils.
- Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with staff receiving high-quality training and maintaining accurate records to ensure pupil safety.
Areas to improve
- The personal development programme requires better planning and sequencing to ensure pupils explicitly understand British values and remember content about other faiths and cultures.
- Some teachers do not always match work to pupils’ abilities, resulting in tasks that are too easy or leaving pupils waiting for further work.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’ and that there is a ‘strong culture of safeguarding’ with staff understanding their responsibilities to report concerns.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 38.6 |
| 2024/25 | 41.1 |
| 2025/26 | 37.8 |
| 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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