UKSchoolSearch
OpenOfsted: OutstandingURN 147870

Leigh Academy Snowfields

Free schools special · Maidstone · ME14 5GA

Ages 11–18 · 355 pupils · Kent

School website

Ofsted

Outstanding

Attainment 8

17.1

Overall absence

15.8%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Outstanding

Inspection date

2023-06-27

Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-1.70
−20+2
Attainment 817.1
English & maths grade 5+5%
English & maths grade 4+26%
EBacc entry0%

EBacc APS: 1.4

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence15.8%
Persistent absence (10%+)40.9%
Unauthorised3.3%
Authorised absence
12.5%
Severe absence (50%+)
9.6%
Enrolments in measure
230

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill95%

355 pupils · 372 places

Pupils on roll
355
Boys / girls
240 / 115
School capacity
372
Capacity fill
355 / 372 (95%)
Free school meals
33.3%
FSM pupils
111
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Free schools special

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
Has Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: LEIGH ACADEMIES TRUST
Academy trust
LEIGH ACADEMIES TRUST
Sponsor
Leigh Academies Trust
Headteacher
Mrs Dee Pickerill

Location

Address
Popesfield Way, Weavering
Postcode
ME14 5GA
Town
Maidstone
County
Kent
Local authority
Kent
District
Maidstone
Constituency
Faversham and Mid Kent
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

SEN & specialist provision

As recorded in GIAS — provision detail, not an Ofsted judgement.

SEN types
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Special classes
Has Special Classes
Resourced provision
SEN unit
SEN unit places
358 on roll / 372 capacity

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed free schools special, Ages 11–18, in Maidstone, Kent, 355 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, special school, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 33.3%. SEN provision includes: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Open schools in Maidstone
68
Academies among open schools in Maidstone
32% (22)
Open schools in ME14
14
Open schools in Kent LA
713

Nearby schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in MaidstoneNear ME14

  • Leigh Academy Bearsted

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Free schools · Primary

    Maidstone · ME14 5GA · Kent

    Ages 3–11

    • Absence5.1%
    • FSM10.9%
    • Demand0.93

    0.0 miles away

  • Roseacre Junior School

    Ofsted: Good

    Foundation school · Primary

    Maidstone · ME14 4BL · Kent

    Ages 7–11

    • KS261%
    • Absence4.0%
    • FSM4.2%

    0.8 miles away

  • Valley Park School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Maidstone · ME14 5DT · Kent

    Ages 11–18

    • Att839.2
    • P8-0.6
    • EM5+28%
    • Absence8.1%

    1.0 miles away

  • Invicta Grammar School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Maidstone · ME14 5DS · Kent

    Ages 11–18

    • Att871.1
    • P80.8
    • EM5+93%
    • Absence4.4%

    1.1 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Dee Pickerill
Telephone
01622250050
Website
https://leighacademysnowfields.org.uk/

Official links