Kibworth Mead Academy Review 2026: Academic Ambition in a Leicestershire Village

Kibworth Mead Academy serves as a focal point for the rural communities of Kibworth Beauchamp and Kibworth Harcourt. Following its transition to The Mead Educational Trust (TMET) in 2021, the school has undergone a significant transformation, moving from a period of instability to a position of strength and reliability. The 2024 GCSE results confirm this upward trajectory, with performance sitting in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile).

The school occupies a spacious campus in the heart of the village, providing a secondary education for approximately 800 students aged 11 to 16. Under the leadership of Principal Steve Piggot, appointed in September 2022, the academy has established a culture of high expectations and professional rigour. The most recent Ofsted inspection in February 2024 rated the school Good in all areas, a major milestone that has restored local confidence in the provision.

The atmosphere at Kibworth Mead is purposeful and calm, a result of the strict, consistent behaviour systems implemented over the last three years. Students move through the corridors with a sense of order, and the social spaces, including the expansive playing fields and central courtyard, are well managed. The school does not feel like an exam factory; instead, it feels like a community that has rediscovered its pride.

The physical environment is a mix of original 1950s architecture and newer additions, including a dedicated sports hall and modern science laboratories. The Mead Educational Trust has invested in the infrastructure, ensuring that classrooms are equipped for contemporary learning. This investment is matched by a focus on staff development, with many teachers actively involved in trust,wide subject networks.

In the 2024 GCSE examinations, students achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 50.2, which is significantly above the local authority average for Leicestershire. This performance places Kibworth Mead Academy 1,646th in England and 25th among secondary schools in the Leicester area (FindMySchool ranking based on official 2024 data).

The Progress 8 score of -0.01 indicates that students make progress in line with the England average from their starting points. While the percentage of pupils achieving grades 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) stands at 12.4%, the average EBacc APS score of 4.45 reflects a solid standard of achievement across the core academic subjects. These figures represent a stable and reliable academic foundation for students moving on to post,16 education.

Teaching follows a structured, knowledge,rich approach. The curriculum is designed to be ambitious, with a strong emphasis on English, Mathematics, and Science. In Science, students benefit from a well,sequenced curriculum that builds complexity over five years, supported by practical work in specialist labs. The academy has prioritised the "Mead Way" of teaching, which focuses on clear explanations, retrieval practice, and high,quality feedback.

Inspectors in 2024 found that teachers have strong subject knowledge and plan lessons that challenge students to think deeply. This is particularly evident in the humanities and expressive arts, where students are encouraged to articulate their ideas with confidence. The school has also made significant strides in supporting students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), with a dedicated team ensuring that the curriculum is accessible to all.

Extracurricular life at Kibworth Mead is diverse and active. The academy is well,regarded for its sporting provision, utilising its extensive on,site facilities for football, netball, rugby, and athletics. The school regularly competes in Leicestershire county fixtures, fostering a sense of healthy competition and teamwork.

STEM Excellence

STEM activities are a major pillar of the extracurricular programme. The academy hosts a popular Robotics Club and participates in national coding competitions, allowing students to apply their technical knowledge to real,world challenges. These initiatives are supported by strong links with local industry partners, providing students with insights into engineering and technology careers.

Creative pursuits are equally celebrated. The annual school production is a highlight of the calendar, involving students in performance, technical theatre, and costume design. Music ensembles, including a choir and various instrumental groups, perform at community events in the village, maintaining the school's historical connection to the Kibworth community.

The pastoral system is organised into year groups, each led by a Head of Year and supported by a non,teaching Pastoral Lead. This structure ensures that there is always a dedicated adult available to handle concerns and provide emotional support. The school has a clear anti,bullying policy that is understood by students and consistently applied by staff.

Wellbeing is integrated into the Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) curriculum, which addresses topics such as mental health, online safety, and healthy relationships. The school also employs a trained counsellor for students needing more intensive emotional support. The latest Ofsted report highlighted the strong culture of safeguarding, noting that students feel safe and well,cared for.

Kibworth Mead Academy is part of the Leicestershire County Council coordinated admissions scheme. For the most recent intake, the school was oversubscribed, receiving 265 applications for 173 offers. This gives a subscription proportion of 1.53, reflecting the school's growing popularity following its improved Ofsted rating.

Priority is given to looked,after children, siblings of current students, and those living within the catchment area, which includes the Kibworths and surrounding villages such as Smeeton Westerby and Great Glen. Parents considering an application should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to historical trends in the village.

Where Students Go Next

As a 11,16 academy, students transition to local sixth form providers and colleges at the end of Year 11. The majority of students progress to Beauchamp City Sixth Form in Leicester, Robert Smyth Academy in Market Harborough, or Leicester College. The school provides a comprehensive careers programme starting in Year 7, including 1:1 guidance interviews and visits to local universities.

The academy reports that a high percentage of students secure their first,choice post,16 destination, with many pursuing A,levels in STEM subjects, humanities, and the arts. Apprenticeship pathways are also well,supported, particularly in the engineering and construction sectors.

The school day begins at 8:40am and concludes at 3:10pm, with extracurricular clubs typically running until 4:15pm. The campus is easily accessible on foot for residents of Kibworth, and several dedicated bus routes serve students from outlying villages. Parking near the Smeeton Road entrance is limited during drop,off and pick,up times, so the school encourages walking or cycling where possible.

Fees & Financial Aid

As a state,funded academy, Kibworth Mead Academy does not charge tuition fees. Education is funded by the government, and the school is free to attend for all eligible students. Families may still need to budget for optional costs such as school uniforms, educational trips, and individual music lessons.

Financial support is often available for families eligible for Free School Meals through the Pupil Premium grant, which helps cover the cost of essential equipment and curriculum enrichment. Additionally, the Kibworth School Foundation occasionally provides small grants to support current or former students (under 26) with specific educational costs such as materials or transport.

• Village location and transport: While the school is central to Kibworth, the narrow roads of the village can become congested at the start and end of the day. Families living outside the immediate walking zone should plan their transport arrangements carefully.
• No sixth form: The 11,16 structure means that all students must move to a new environment at 16. While the school manages this transition excellently, it does require students to be ready for a significant change after their GCSEs.
• A school in transition: While the Good rating is a major achievement, some aspects of the trust,wide systems are still being embedded. Families who value a long,established, unchanging culture may find the pace of recent improvements at Kibworth Mead to be quite rapid.

Kibworth Mead Academy has successfully navigated a period of change to become a stable, ambitious, and high,achieving village school. The combination of strong results, a Good Ofsted rating, and a clear sense of order makes it an excellent choice for local families. Best suited to students who thrive in a structured environment and who want to remain part of their local community for their secondary education. Entry is increasingly competitive, reflecting the school's renewed reputation.