Leeds Jewish Free School

About Leeds Jewish Free School

Leeds Jewish Free School is a small secondary school in Leeds that is currently operating at full capacity with 127 pupils against a capacity of 125. The school serves a distinctive community, with 29.1% of pupils eligible for free school meals, a figure that is notably higher than the national average and reflects the school's inclusive intake within its Jewish faith context. Demand for places is exceptionally strong: for the 2025/26 academic year, the school received 106 applications for just 26 places, an oversubscription ratio of 4.08 to one. Of those, 35 families listed it as their first preference, and 24 first-preference offers were made. This level of competition suggests a school that has built a strong reputation locally, despite its small size. The school is mixed, non-selective, and covers ages 11 to 18, though it does not currently have a formal sixth form. Headteacher Charlotte Kelsey leads a school that clearly commands significant loyalty from local families.

Academically, Leeds Jewish Free School performs well above the local average. Its Progress 8 score of 0.45 places it 12th out of 42 schools in the Leeds local authority, comfortably within the top 25% nationally. This is a strong result compared with the Leeds LA average Progress 8 of 0.07, meaning pupils here make significantly more progress than their peers in other local schools. The Attainment 8 score of 52.4 is solid, and 90.3% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths, though the figure drops to 54.8% at grade 5 or above. The school's EBacc entry rate is low at 16.1%, and the EBacc average point score is 4.48. In its most recent graded inspection in 2015, Ofsted rated the school Good overall, with leadership and management also judged Good. A subsequent ungraded inspection in April 2024 confirmed the school remains Good, though with some concerns noted.

The school offers a wide range of facilities including science labs, art studios, a theatre, swimming pool, astro turf, and a sports hall, alongside clubs such as Model UN, DofE, coding, and a choir. Sports on offer include netball, rowing, hockey, and martial arts. SEND provision covers specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate and profound learning difficulties, social and emotional mental health needs, and speech and language communication needs. Given its small size, strong academic outcomes, and high demand, this school will particularly suit families seeking a close-knit, faith-based secondary with a proven track record of adding value. However, the oversubscription means securing a place is competitive, and the lack of a sixth form will require families to plan for post-16 options elsewhere.

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