Schools by area › Milton Keynes › Watling Academy
Watling Academy
Secondary · Mixed · Ages 11–18 · Free school
Barrosa Way, Milton Keynes MK8 1EP · watlingacademy.net · 01908 794094
Overview
- Ofsted
- Outstanding
- 2019 framework · inspected May 2023
- GCSEs, 2024/25
- 50.4
- average Attainment 8 score. Milton Keynes 44.2, England 46
- Last distance offered
- 1.73 mi
- 2.79 km · Year 7, September 2026 entry · Criterion 6 (Other pupils) · Milton Keynes Council
- Demand for places
- 1.1
- first choices for each place · Year 7, September 2026
- Pupils
- 1,767
- 79% of 2,250 places
- Local authority
- Milton Keynes
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Admissions
- Non-selective
- Free school meals
- 24.1%
- First language not English
- 27.1%
- School census 2025/26
The official school record (Department for Education)
Admissions
For Year 7 in September 2026, the last place offered under “Criterion 6 (Other pupils)” went to a home 1.73 mi (2.79 km) from the school. Source: Milton Keynes Council’s document.
For Year 7 in September 2026, 380 families put the school first and 351 places were offered; 80% of those families were offered a place there. Admission depends on the school’s own rules.
Demand for places
First choices against places
| Year 7 | Places | First choices | Per place | % offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026Sept 2026 | 351 | 380 | 1.1▲ | 80% |
| September 2025Sept 2025 | 356 | 375 | 1.1▲ | 79% |
| September 2024Sept 2024 | 299 | 444 | 1.5▲ | 61% |
| September 2023Sept 2023 | 326 | 323 | 1 | 79% |
| September 2022Sept 2022 | 352 | 279 | 0.8 | 90% |
Last distance offered
| Year 7 – Criterion 6 (Other pupils) | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | 1.73 mi2.79 km | |
Results
In 2024/25 the average Attainment 8 score at GCSE was 50.4, and 55.2% of pupils got grade 5 or above in English and maths. Across Milton Keynes it was 44.2, and across England 46.
| 2024/25 | School | England |
|---|---|---|
| Attainment 8 | ▲50.4 | 46.0 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | ▲55.2% | 45.4% |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | ▲77.9% | 64.8% |
| Entered for EBacc | ▲72.4% | 40.5% |
| EBacc average points | ▲4.74 | 4.09 |
Ofsted
Watling Academy was judged Outstanding at its last graded inspection, on 16 May 2023, under Ofsted’s 2019 framework.
- Overall
- Outstanding
- Inspected
- 16 May 2023
- Graded inspection
Safeguarding effectiveInspection reports
Graded areas
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
|---|---|
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
What parents said
94% of the parents who answered Ofsted’s Parent View survey would recommend the school (183 replies, to 1 April 2024).
- Recommend
- 94%
- Replies
- 183
- 22% · 1 Apr 2024
based on the 75% who raised concerns
based on the 36% who had a child bullied
based on 37 parents (20%) with SEND