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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Needs attentionURN 136720

Welling School

Academy converter · Welling · DA16 1LB

Ages 11–18 · 1,084 pupils · Bexley

School website

Ofsted

Needs attention

Attainment 8

36.7

Overall absence

12.7%

Admissions demand

0.80 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Needs attention

Inspection date

2026-02-10

  • AchievementNeeds attention
  • Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
  • InclusionNeeds attention
  • Attendance and behaviourNeeds attention
  • Personal development and wellbeingNeeds attention
  • Leadership and governanceNeeds attention

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

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

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.82
−20+2
Attainment 836.7
English & maths grade 5+29%
English & maths grade 4+54%
EBacc entry19%

EBacc APS: 3.1

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence12.7%
Persistent absence (10%+)40.8%
Unauthorised4.9%
Authorised absence
7.8%
Severe absence (50%+)
7.3%
Enrolments in measure
1,092

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.80 · Often has places

1st preferences

85

Places offered

147

1st-preference offers

85

Total preferences (any rank)
288
Preferred offers (top 3)
106
Applications from outside LA
57
Offers to outside-LA applicants
24
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill59%

1,084 pupils · 1,850 places

Pupils on roll
1,084
Boys / girls
552 / 532
School capacity
1,850
Capacity fill
1,084 / 1,850 (59%)
Free school meals
33.6%
FSM pupils
303
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

3 / 6

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

School characteristics

Special classes
Has Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: THE KEMNAL ACADEMIES TRUST
Academy trust
THE KEMNAL ACADEMIES TRUST
Sponsor
The Kemnal Academies Trust
Headteacher
Mr Brian Griffen

Location

Address
Elsa Road
Postcode
DA16 1LB
Town
Welling
County
Kent
Local authority
Bexley
District
Bexley
Constituency
Old Bexley and Sidcup
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
Resourced provision
Resourced places
10 on roll / 10 capacity

Local context

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

Mixed academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Welling, Bexley, 1,084 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, special school, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 33.6%. SEN provision includes: ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Open schools in Welling
15
Secondary schools in Welling
3
Academies among open schools in Welling
60% (9)
Open schools in DA16
15
Secondary in DA16
3
Open schools in Bexley LA
92
Secondary in Bexley LA
15

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 WellingNear DA16

  • Bexley Grammar School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Welling · DA16 2BL · Bexley

    Ages 11–18

    • Att874.7
    • P80.5
    • EM5+98%
    • Absence3.3%

    0.8 miles away

  • Harris Academy Falconwood

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Welling · DA16 2PE · Bexley

    Ages 11–18

    • Att845.8
    • P8-0.0
    • EM5+41%
    • Absence6.6%

    1.3 miles away

  • Blackfen School for Girls

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Sidcup · DA15 9NU · Bexley

    Ages 11–18

    • Att846.9
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+46%
    • Absence10.4%

    1.3 miles away

  • Lift Bexleyheath

    Ofsted: Expected standard

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Bexleyheath · DA6 7DA · Bexley

    Ages 11–18

    • Att841.4
    • P8-0.4
    • EM5+46%
    • Absence9.3%

    1.5 miles away

  • Plumstead Manor School

    Ofsted: Requires improvement

    Community school · Secondary

    London · SE18 1QF · Greenwich

    Ages 11–19

    • Att836.2
    • P8-0.7
    • EM5+30%
    • Absence10.7%

    1.6 miles away

  • Townley Grammar School

    Ofsted: Outstanding

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bexleyheath · DA6 7AB · Bexley

    Ages 11–18

    • Att876.2
    • P80.7
    • EM5+97%
    • Absence3.7%

    1.7 miles away

  • St Paul's Academy

    Ofsted: Requires improvement

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    London · SE2 9PX · Greenwich

    Ages 11–16

    • Att842.5
    • P8-0.3
    • EM5+39%
    • Absence7.6%

    1.8 miles away

  • Leigh Stationers' Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    London · SE9 2PT · Greenwich

    Ages 11–18

    • Att845.5
    • P8-0.3
    • EM5+49%
    • Absence7.8%

    2.0 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Brian Griffen
Telephone
02083048531
Website
http://www.wellingschool-tkat.org/

Official links