Schools by area › Kent › Leigh Academy Tonbridge
Leigh Academy Tonbridge
Secondary · Mixed · Ages 11–18 · Academy
Brook Street, Tonbridge TN9 2PH · leighacademytonbridge.org.uk · 01732 500600
Overview
- Ofsted
- Good
- 2019 framework · inspected Dec 2022
- GCSEs, 2024/25
- 43.1
- average Attainment 8 score. Kent 46.7, England 46
- Demand for places
- 0.8
- first choices for each place · Year 7, September 2026
- Pupils
- 807
- 79% of 1,020 places
- Local authority
- Kent
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Admissions
- Non-selective
- Free school meals
- 34.6%
- First language not English
- 8.4%
- School census 2025/26
The official school record (Department for Education)
Admissions
For Year 7 in September 2026, 137 families put the school first and 179 places were offered; 100% of those families were offered a place there. Admission depends on the school’s own rules.
First choices against places
| Year 7 | Places | First choices | Per place | % offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026Sept 2026 | 179 | 137 | 0.8 | 100% |
| September 2025Sept 2025 | 172 | 196 | 1.1▲ | 84% |
| September 2024Sept 2024 | 176 | 216 | 1.2▲ | 76% |
| September 2023Sept 2023 | 178 | 139 | 0.8 | 97% |
| September 2022Sept 2022 | 150 | 70 | 0.5 | 100% |
Results
In 2024/25 the average Attainment 8 score at GCSE was 43.1, and 30.1% of pupils got grade 5 or above in English and maths. Across Kent it was 46.7, and across England 46.
In 2024/25 the average A level result was grade D+ (22.9 points per entry).
GCSE results
Attainment 8
| 2024/25 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▼43.1 | 46.0 | ||
| ▼30.1% | 45.4% | ||
| ▼56.2% | 64.8% | ||
| ▲82.2% | 40.5% | ||
| ●4.12 | 4.09 |
Where Year 11 leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| School sixth form | 56.6 | −2.4 |
| Further education | 30.3 | +11 |
| Apprenticeship | 1.3 | −1.1 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 7.9 | −4.1 |
| Activity not captured | 3.9 | +1.5 |
A levels and other 16 to 18 results
A level average grade
| 2024/25 | Trend | Average grade | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 students | D+ (22.9) | Average -0.32 | |
| 19 students | D+ (22.9) | Average -0.32 | |
| 26 students | Dist- (30.6) | Average +0.12 | |
| 10 students | Merit+ (27.3) | Well below average -0.96 |
| Earlier years: A level | Students | Average grade | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 10 | D- (15.8) | -0.81 |
| 2022/23 | 17 | D (19.6) | — |
| 2021/22 | 19 | D (19.4) | — |
| 2018/19 | 30 | C (28.7) | +0.14 |
| 2017/18 | 36 | D (21) | -0.90 |
| 2016/17 | 41 | D- (17.2) | -0.73 |
| 2015/16 | 21 | D+ (24.8) | +0.24 |
Where sixth-form leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| University | 35.7 | +0.6 |
| Apprenticeship | 3.6 | — |
| Employment | 35.7 | −4.8 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 17.9 | +1.7 |
| Activity not captured | 7.1 | −1 |
Ofsted
Leigh Academy Tonbridge was judged Good at its last graded inspection, on 6 December 2022, under Ofsted’s 2019 framework.
- Overall
- Good
- Inspected
- 6 Dec 2022
- Graded inspection
Safeguarding effectiveInspection reports
Graded areas
| Quality of education | Good |
|---|---|
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
Previously: Good, graded inspection, Jun 2013
Earlier inspections
Before September 2019
Jun 2013Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Leadership and management Good May 2008Outstanding
Outcomes for pupils Outstanding Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding 16 to 19 study programmes Good
What parents said
93% of the parents who answered Ofsted’s Parent View survey would recommend the school (133 replies, to 4 September 2023).
- Recommend
- 93%
- Replies
- 133
- 29% · 4 Sept 2023
based on the 84% who raised concerns
based on the 41% who had a child bullied
based on 37 parents (28%) with SEND