Leigh Academy Rainham

About Leigh Academy Rainham

Leigh Academy Rainham was rated Good overall in its most recent Ofsted inspection, but the detail is more striking. The school received Outstanding grades for personal development, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management, with only quality of education judged Good. That pattern suggests strong pastoral care and leadership, even if academic outcomes are still developing. The school’s Progress 8 score is not published in the available data, but the local authority average for Medway is -0.1, which provides a rough benchmark. With 21.1% of pupils eligible for free school meals — above the national average — the school serves a relatively disadvantaged intake. The headteacher, Alexandra Cramlington, has been in post since the school opened, and the inspection report notes that leaders have high expectations and have built a positive culture from the start.

The school is heavily oversubscribed. For 2025/26 entry, it received 704 applications for 172 places, an oversubscription ratio of 4.09 to one. Of those, 182 were first-preference applications, and 154 first-preference offers were made. That level of demand suggests strong local reputation, particularly given the competition from three grammar schools in Medway — Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School, The Rochester Grammar School, and Fort Pitt Grammar School — which are the top-performing schools in the area. Leigh Academy Rainham is a non-selective state secondary, so it draws from a wider ability range. The school has a sixth form, which is a significant advantage for families looking for continuity post-16. The site includes a full range of facilities: science labs, art studios, a sixth form centre, sports hall, astro turf, and playing fields. Clubs include the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, coding, and Young Enterprise, which add breadth beyond the classroom.

For families considering this school, the key takeaway is that it is a Good school with Outstanding features, particularly around behaviour and personal development. It is not an academic powerhouse on the level of the local grammars, but it is clearly popular and improving. The SEND provision is broad, covering specific learning difficulties, autism, speech and language needs, and physical disabilities, which makes it a realistic option for children with a range of additional needs. The school is large — capacity is 1,150, with 793 pupils currently on roll — so there is room to grow. The oversubscription figures mean that getting a place is not guaranteed, especially for families outside the catchment. This is a school that will suit families who prioritise a supportive, well-led environment over raw exam results, and who want a secondary with a sixth form and a strong extracurricular offer.

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