Leigh Academy Peninsula East

About Leigh Academy Peninsula East

Leigh Academy Peninsula East is a state primary school in Medway that currently operates close to capacity, with 234 pupils on roll against a published capacity of 250. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 24.1%, which is notably higher than the national average for primary schools and suggests a catchment serving families with above-average levels of economic disadvantage. Despite this, the school is clearly in demand: for the 2025/26 intake, it received 34 applications for 20 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.7. All 19 first-preference applicants were offered a place, meaning the school is popular but still accessible for families who put it first. The school is mixed, non-denominational, and caters for children from age 3 through to 11, with nursery provision available. It is led by headteacher Lorna Rimmer, who took over a school that has maintained a consistent trajectory of improvement.

Academically, the school performs well above the local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 75% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Medway average of 62%. This places the school 10th out of 55 primary schools in the local authority, putting it in the top 25% nationally. Reading scores were particularly strong, with an average scaled score of 104 and 29% of pupils achieving the higher standard. Maths and writing both saw 75% of pupils at the expected level, with 11% reaching the higher standard in maths and 21% in writing. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in May 2024 rated it Good overall, but with Outstanding marks for early years provision, personal development, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management. This represents an improvement from its previous Good inspection in 2020, where only leadership and management was rated Outstanding.

The school offers a solid range of facilities including an ICT suite, art studios, a gymnasium, sports hall, playing fields and a library, plus a chapel on site. Sports provision covers cricket, athletics, football, cross country and gymnastics, while extracurricular clubs include drama, choir, film club, coding, chess and gardening. For pupils with additional needs, the school lists support for social, emotional and mental health, speech, language and communication needs, autistic spectrum disorder, and other difficulties or disabilities. With its strong academic outcomes, outstanding behaviour ratings, and clear demand from local families, this is a school that suits parents looking for a well-run, inclusive primary that serves a diverse community and delivers results above the local norm. The nursery provision also makes it a convenient choice for families wanting continuity from early years through to Year 6.

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