Welling School
59%
Capacity
1,087
Pupils
2.2x
Demand
About Welling School
Welling School is a state-funded None secondary school serving the Bexley community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,087 pupils on roll, operating at 59% capacity.
Ofsted has rated Welling School "Requires Improvement", the school is led by headteacher Brian Griffen, it falls under Bexley local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.82 is well below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 36.7. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C-. Additionally, ranked 2931st out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 15th out of 16 in Bexley.
Welling School is a popular choice with families — it received 383 applications for 174 places, making it 2.2x oversubscribed. Of these, 118 were first-preference applications.
Welling School has average reviews on SchoolParrot (3.4/5 from 1 parents).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Welling School include Library, Swimming Pool, Music Rooms, Tennis Courts, Dining Hall, Sixth Form Centre, Sports Hall, Theatre, Astro Turf, Art Studios.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Football, Rugby, Basketball, Badminton and 3 more, as well as clubs including Choir, Book Club, Debate, Art Club and 7 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 29.5%, which is above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Bexley, Welling School is one of the options available in the London region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Elsa Road, Welling, Bexley, DA16 1LB |
| Headteacher | Brian Griffen |
| Local Authority | Bexley |
| Number of Pupils | 1,087 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 29.5% |
| School Capacity | 1,087 / 1,850 (59% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
4 Oct 2023Overall Effectiveness
Requires improvement
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 26 Nov 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.82)
2931st of 3,141
Nationally
475th of 487
In London
15th of 16
In Bexley
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.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
20.3
'22/23
21.2
'23/24
28.2
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Resourced ProvisionSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
10Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
18Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed174
383
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
118 families put this school as their 1st choice (31% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Welling 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
Elsa Road, Welling
Bexley, DA16 1LB
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Reviews on Other Platforms
External reviews are provided by third-party platforms and are not verified by Classpot.
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