Leicester College
About Leicester College
Leicester College is a state secondary for students aged 16 to 99, serving the city of Leicester with a mixed intake. The school has a capacity of 1,308 places, and its pupil population includes 15.4% eligible for free school meals, a figure that sits below the national average for secondary schools. Demand for places is notably high: for the 2025/26 academic year, the school received 482 applications for 216 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.23. Of those applicants, 217 listed Leicester College as their first preference, and 212 first-preference offers were made, suggesting that most families who want a place here are successful if they apply early. The school is non-denominational and has no religious character, and it operates a dedicated sixth form centre for post-16 students. Its headteacher is Shabir Ismail, who leads a school that has seen a clear improvement trajectory in its most recent Ofsted inspection.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
15 Sept 2022Latest monitoring visit (15 Sept 2022): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 30 Apr 2014. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
16Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Leicester College
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