West Leigh Junior School
Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 2JB · Southend-on-Sea · primary school
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2nd of 27 primary schools in Southend-on-Sea we can score, 33 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 — 9.1/10 against 2,954 of them, against 9.3/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 84.0 · 93 | 40% | 3.72 |
| Ofsted | 92 | 35% | 3.24 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 22.0 · 94 | 25% | 2.35 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
West Leigh Junior School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 84.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 22.0%, against a national median of 7%. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (9.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 9.3 out of 10 against all schools). The April 2026 inspection used the new report-card framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join football and baking clubs, or participate in choirs and instrumental groups including recorder, flute, clarinet, saxophone, drums, violin, and cello. Trips include Colchester Castle, the Young Shakespeare Company, and the Southend Museum and Planetarium. Both breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 526 pupils against a stated capacity of 528. 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
What specific support is available for pupils aiming for the higher standard? How are the various music groups scheduled during the school day?
What Ofsted said about West Leigh Junior School
Overview
West Leigh Junior School is described as a place where pupils "thrive" and are "incredibly well prepared for their next steps in education." The report highlights a "highly ambitious curriculum" and "incredibly high expectations" for behaviour, resulting in a calm, secure environment where pupils are "happy, confident and ambitious learners."
Strengths
- Pupils "consistently achieve highly in national tests" and produce work of "very high quality" across subjects, including complex computing programmes and meaningful historical comparisons.
- Attendance is "consistently low" for both overall and persistent absence, supported by clear systems that "remove barriers pupils face."
- Behaviour standards are "consistently high," with bullying being "incredibly rare" and routines that help pupils feel "safe, secure and ready to focus."
- Staff provide "high quality" teaching and "focussed interventions," ensuring pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities and disadvantaged pupils "achieve incredibly well."
- The personal development offer is "extensive," fostering strong values like integrity and preparing pupils thoroughly for secondary school through rich opportunities and a tailored PSHE curriculum.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure their oversight of "more recently introduced initiatives and systems" enables them to adapt future priorities to "further enhance the high-quality offer pupils receive."
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" ensuring pupils are "made safer and feel safe."
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 80% |
| 2023/24 | 75% |
| 2024/25 | 84% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 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
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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