Babington Academy
98%
Capacity
1,346
Pupils
1.3x
Demand
About Babington Academy
Babington Academy is a state-funded None secondary school serving the Leicester community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 1,346 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (98% of 1,380 places).
Ofsted has rated Babington Academy "Good", the school is led by headteacher Fiona Laywood, it falls under Leicester local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.80 is well below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 33.9. Additionally, ranked 2921st out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 19th out of 20 in Leicester.
Babington Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 298 applications for 238 places, making it 1.3x oversubscribed. Of these, 187 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 10 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 7 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Babington Academy include Sports Hall, Swimming Pool, Gymnasium, ICT Suite, Tennis Courts, Sixth Form Centre, Music Rooms, Science Labs, Astro Turf.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Martial Arts, Rugby, Badminton, Tennis and 5 more, as well as clubs including Chess, Gardening, Film Club, Debate and 4 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 46.5%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Leicester, Babington Academy is one of the options available in the East Midlands region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Strasbourg Drive, Leicester, Leicester, LE4 0SZ |
| Headteacher | Fiona Laywood |
| Local Authority | Leicester |
| Number of Pupils | 1,346 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 46.5% |
| School Capacity | 1,346 / 1,380 (98% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
28 Mar 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Source: Ofsted, 24 May 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.80)
2921st of 3,141
Nationally
258th of 273
In East Midlands
19th of 20
In Leicester
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
SEND Support
SEN UnitSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
17Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed238
298
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
187 families put this school as their 1st choice (63% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Babington Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Strasbourg Drive, Leicester
Leicester, LE4 0SZ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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