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OpenSecondaryOfsted: OutstandingURN 147860

Watling Academy

Free schools · Milton Keynes · MK8 1EP

Ages 11–18 · 1,767 pupils · Milton Keynes

School website

Ofsted

Outstanding

Overall absence

7.1%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Outstanding

Inspection date

2023-05-16

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)

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence7.1%
Persistent absence (10%+)20.2%
Unauthorised1.6%
Authorised absence
5.5%
Severe absence (50%+)
2.3%
Enrolments in measure
1,234

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 fill79%

1,767 pupils · 2,250 places

Pupils on roll
1,767
Boys / girls
903 / 864
School capacity
2,250
Capacity fill
1,767 / 2,250 (79%)
Free school meals
24.1%
FSM pupils
405
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Free schools

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

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

School characteristics

Governance
Academy trust: THE ALLIANCE SCHOOLS TRUST
Academy trust
THE ALLIANCE SCHOOLS TRUST
Sponsor
The Alliance Schools Trust
Headteacher
Mrs Emma Anderson

Location

Address
Barrosa Way
Postcode
MK8 1EP
Town
Milton Keynes
Local authority
Milton Keynes
District
Milton Keynes
Constituency
Milton Keynes North
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

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

Mixed free schools (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes, 1,767 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 24.1%.

Open schools in Milton Keynes
120
Secondary schools in Milton Keynes
12
Academies among open schools in Milton Keynes
41% (49)
Open schools in MK8
9
Secondary in MK8
2
Open schools in Milton Keynes LA
124
Secondary in Milton Keynes LA
12

Nearby secondary schools

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

Compare with theseAll in Milton KeynesNear MK8

  • The Hazeley Academy

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Milton Keynes · MK8 0PT · Milton Keynes

    Ages 11–19

    • Att849.1
    • P80.1
    • EM5+56%
    • Absence7.3%

    1.1 miles away

  • Denbigh School

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Milton Keynes · MK5 6EX · Milton Keynes

    Ages 11–19

    • Att855.6
    • P80.3
    • EM5+64%
    • Absence6.2%

    1.5 miles away

  • The Radcliffe School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Foundation school · Secondary

    Milton Keynes · MK12 5BT · Milton Keynes

    Ages 11–19

    • Att839.5
    • P8-0.6
    • EM5+36%
    • Absence9.7%

    1.8 miles away

  • Shenley Brook End School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Milton Keynes · MK5 7ZT · Milton Keynes

    Ages 11–19

    • Att846.8
    • P8-0.3
    • EM5+45%
    • Absence8.2%

    2.3 miles away

  • Stantonbury School

    Ofsted: Urgent improvement

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Milton Keynes · MK14 6BN · Milton Keynes

    Ages 11–19

    • Att838.8
    • P8-0.9
    • EM5+36%
    • Absence14.8%

    2.9 miles away

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Emma Anderson
Telephone
01908794094
Website
https://watlingacademy.net/

Official links