The Winstanley School
100%
Capacity
639
Pupils
2.2x
Demand
About The Winstanley School
The Winstanley School is a popular choice among local families, with 134 first-preference applications for just 118 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.21. Of those first-preference applicants, 114 received offers, indicating strong demand. While the school does not publish a parent recommendation percentage, the high level of interest suggests a solid reputation in the Blaby area. The school is a state secondary for pupils aged 11 to 16, with a mixed intake and no religious character. It is led by headteacher David Bennett and currently has 639 pupils on roll, just one short of its full capacity of 640. Over 41% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is significantly above the national average and reflects the school's inclusive intake.
Academically, the school's most recent Ofsted inspection in September 2023 rated it Good overall, a notable improvement from its previous Requires Improvement rating in December 2019. All five inspected categories — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management — were rated Good. However, exam results paint a more mixed picture. The school's Progress 8 score of -0.8 is well below average nationally, placing it in the bottom 50% of schools and ranking 39th out of 46 similar schools in Leicestershire. The local authority average Progress 8 score is -0.1, so pupils here make less progress than peers across the county. Attainment 8 stands at 33.2, and only 28.2% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths. The EBacc average point score is 2.92, with just 6.5% achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above.
The school offers a wide range of facilities including science labs, art studios, an ICT suite, a sports hall, tennis courts, and an astro turf pitch. Sports provision is broad, covering football, hockey, swimming, rowing, and martial arts, while clubs include art, coding, gardening, eco club, film club, and choir. For pupils with additional needs, the school has a dedicated SEN unit and supports a wide range of conditions including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health needs. The school is oversubscribed, so families should ensure they apply by the deadline. Given its strong SEND support and inclusive intake, The Winstanley School may particularly suit families who value a comprehensive, community-focused environment, though those prioritising high academic progress may want to consider the local context carefully.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Kingsway North, Braunstone Town, Leicester, Blaby, LE3 3BD |
| Headteacher | David Bennett |
| Local Authority | Leicestershire |
| Number of Pupils | 639 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 41.6% |
| School Capacity | 639 / 640 (100% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
12 Sept 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Source: Ofsted, 1 Nov 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.80)
2924th of 3,141
Nationally
259th of 273
In East Midlands
2nd of 3
In Blaby
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.
Where GCSE leavers go
2022/235%
of GCSE leavers stay on for sixth form at this school (cohort: 116 pupils).
- FE college51%
- Sixth form college22%
- Not sustained13%
- Employment7%
- School sixth form (stay)5%
- Apprenticeship1%
85% of leavers had a sustained destination 6 months on.
Source: DfE Compare School & College Performance, KS4 pupil destinations 2022/23 (revised). Only state-funded schools are required to report.
SEND Support
SEN UnitSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
14Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed118
261
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
134 families put this school as their 1st choice (51% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than half of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Among the highest-disadvantage schools.
Above the national median (10%) — a meaningful share speak English as an additional language.
Ethnic background
- White British62.4%
- White (other)12.1%
- Mixed8.3%
- Asian6.6%
- Black0.6%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
9
Total schools
8
Oversubscribed
8
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Winstanley School
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
Kingsway North, Braunstone Town, Leicester
Blaby, LE3 3BD
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
Parent Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience at The Winstanley School!
Write a Review