The Cedars Academy, Leicester: A Comprehensive Secondary Reaching National Typical Standards

When Longslade Grammar School opened its doors in 1959, suburban Leicester was expanding rapidly, and the school became part of an educational innovation: the Leicestershire Plan, an experimental comprehensive system that earned international attention. That pioneering legacy is visible today at The Cedars Academy, a mixed secondary located in Birstall on the north side of Leicester, serving approximately 1,000 students aged 11 to 18 across the main school and its dedicated sixth form, Cedars Martin.

The Academy sits at national typical performance levels, meaning it reflects solid middle-of-the-road standards in England (FindMySchool ranking data). With a Good Ofsted rating from March 2023, the school has rebuilt itself significantly from earlier struggles, entering a phase of sustained improvement under leadership committed to ensuring every student can progress. The school serves a genuinely diverse catchment stretching across Anstey, Birstall, Cropston, Glenfield, Rothley, Thurcaston and Wanlip, with 42% of pupils from ethnic minority backgrounds and 22% eligible for free school meals.

Walking through the gates, the atmosphere reflects a school where adults have deliberately built structure and high expectations. The behaviour policy references the school's core values of Resilience, Reciprocity, Reflectiveness and Resourcefulness, and students use this language naturally. Since converting to academy status in 2015 and merging with Stonehill High School, the institution has invested in modernising its estate while preserving the red-brick Victorian buildings that anchor the main campus. Mrs Laura Sanchez, Head of Academy since June 2019, arrived from a London deputy headship and has led a deliberate programme of improvement, working closely with the Lionheart Educational Trust, which oversees the school alongside several others in Leicestershire.

The Ofsted inspection of March 2023 found that pupils enjoy coming to school and feel safe. The inspection noted that pupils know their teachers have their best interests at heart and listen to their opinions. Behaviour has improved noticeably following the introduction of a revised behaviour policy. The atmosphere in lessons and around school is calm, with bullying described as rare. When it does occur, staff respond seriously. Staff are visible and engage positively with students, creating an environment where young people feel they belong.

GCSE Performance

GCSE outcomes in 2024 reflect solid, middle-range performance. The school's Attainment 8 score was 45.7, matching the England average of 45.9. This means pupils here are achieving in line with the national baseline; roughly equal proportions of strong and weaker grades. However, Progress 8 stands at -0.31, indicating that pupils are making below-average progress from their starting points at Key Stage 2 relative to pupils with similar prior attainment nationally. This is a telling metric: pupils arrive at secondary with sound knowledge, but their trajectory through Years 7-11 does not match national progress expectations. The school ranks 1,966th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool data), placing it in the middle 40% nationally (42.8th percentile). Locally, it ranks 30th among Leicester secondary schools.

English Baccalaureate entries stand at 15%, slightly above the England average entry rate but well below uptake at selective and high-performing schools. Only 15% of pupils achieved grades 5 and above across the EBacc combination, reflecting lower subject specialism among the cohort.

A-Level Performance

Sixth form performance is stronger. The 2024 cohort achieved a 100% pass rate with an average grade of B- across the year group. At A-level, 48% of grades were A* to B, slightly above the England average of 47%. The school's A-level ranking is 991st in England (FindMySchool data), placing it above England average in the top 40% of sixth form providers nationally. Locally, Cedars Martin ranks 10th among Leicestershire sixth forms.

The Cedars Martin sixth form operates from a purpose-built facility and has achieved strong results in recent years, with students progressing to competitive universities. The sixth form offers small class sizes and personalised support as defining features of its approach.

The 2023 Ofsted inspection found that the curriculum has been carefully designed, with leaders considering the sequence in which pupils encounter new learning so that knowledge and skills build over time. Teachers adapt their instruction so that all pupils can access the full curriculum, including the above-average proportion of students with special educational needs. The school works closely with primary partners to design curriculum that builds on prior knowledge and stretches learners progressively.

Subject expertise is evident. Classes follow the national framework with enrichment tailored to school context. History teaching, for example, references the fact that the school is built on an Anglo-Saxon site, connecting local heritage to the curriculum. French and additional modern languages are offered. Sciences are taught separately rather than as a combined course, allowing depth in Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

A notable strength is the school's partnership with the Brilliant Club, an award-winning university access charity. This programme works with students from under-represented backgrounds, building aspiration and confidence around higher education pathways from Key Stage 3 onwards.

The 2023-24 leavers cohort (n=30) shows the following trajectories: 70% progressed to university, 23% entered employment, and 3% began apprenticeships. This reflects a cohort where the majority aim for higher education, though the relatively small sample size (reflecting year group intake) means annual variation is significant.

For the sixth form, recent years show strong progression to competitive universities. Students have secured places at Russell Group institutions and Oxbridge. The school's website indicates students have progressed to a range of universities including some of the most selective in the country, though precise numbers are not published publicly by the school. The sixth form emphasises preparation for university and alternative careers through dedicated pastoral support and access to information about a wide range of post-18 options.

Sports and Physical Education

The school fields teams across the traditional team sports: football, basketball, netball, cricket, and athletics. A recent event hosted by Lionheart Education Trust brought Year 9 and 10 students to Knighton Tennis Centre for practical sessions including boxing, cricket, and pickleball. Year 10 pupils Lucia, Lucas, Archie and Zayd won victories in 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m at a local athletics competition in May 2024. The school operates a PE Sports Club offering after-school opportunities for skill-building and casual play across various activities, open to all year groups. Five outdoor grass pitches support field sports, with an all-weather 3G pitch in development. The school also hosts football coaching partnerships and participates in local league competitions.

A notable achievement was The Cedars Academy winning Leicester City Football Club's Premier League Inspires Challenge for the first time. Eight female students have been trained as Football Activators by Loughborough University. The school has also produced Football Activators, who lead outreach activities across the community.

Music and Performing Arts

The school operates instrumental lessons across a range of instruments, with students encouraged to learn and develop musical skill. In recent years, students have participated in opportunities to learn brass instruments provided free through Leicestershire Music at a cost of £3.50 per lesson. Music lessons incorporate exploration of orchestral instruments, with all students offered the chance to learn one.

The Palmer-Tomkinson Theatre is a spectacular, state-of-the-art venue with retractable tiered seating, a magnificent open plan foyer, adjacent rehearsal rooms, and technical sound and lighting booth. This purpose-built facility hosts student performances, drama productions, and school assemblies. A dedicated drama facility provides space for dance classes, drama clubs, rehearsals and yoga. The school recently hosted the Globe Players, a renowned theatre company offering educational plays.

Students have taken part in drama and musical performances including productions such as Macbeth, and the school runs regular Music and Drama clubs during lunchtimes and after school.

Clubs and Societies

The Debate Club encourages public speaking and critical thinking. The Diversity Society creates space for students to explore identity, representation and cultural understanding. Chess Club and Computer Science Club foster strategic thinking and intellectual engagement. Music clubs include various ensembles and performance groups. Drama Club supports production work and performance rehearsals. The school also runs a Student Council and supports Duke of Edinburgh Award participation.

A Lionheart radio station is currently in development, with students able to join this new initiative. Year 9 and 10 students regularly undertake mentorship activities, including helping younger pupils at primary schools with French language lessons through peer teaching.

Enrichment and Wider Learning

The school partners with the Brilliant Club to provide mentorship and university readiness programmes. Students participate in geography trips exploring Leicester's landscapes and communities. Art and Design students have visited Tate Britain and Tate Modern in London. The school hosts venue facilities that enable large-scale events and performances. Students have participated in Premier League education initiatives and career insight events across multiple trust schools.

The Ofsted inspection noted that arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders ensuring a culture of safeguarding throughout the school. Pupils know there is someone to talk to if they have a problem and feel safe. The school has put rigorous systems in place to ensure that safeguarding concerns are recorded and acted upon. Staff and governors receive regular training and updates with good understanding of risks facing pupils.

The school allocates a higher-than-average proportion of its budget to special educational needs support. There is a dedicated SEN unit with capacity for 30 pupils; currently, 26 are on roll. These students receive tailored instruction and specialist support. The school explicitly works to ensure all pupils, including those with complex needs, can access the full curriculum through adapted teaching strategies.

Student support staff are available throughout the day to provide guidance on pastoral matters, wellbeing, and future planning. The school has introduced behaviour training and pastoral structures designed to support students' emotional development alongside academic progress.

The Cedars Academy operates a non-selective admissions policy as a community secondary. For Year 7 entry, places are allocated through Leicestershire's coordinated admissions system. The school received 390 applications for approximately 186 places in recent years, making it oversubscribed with a subscription ratio of 2.1 applications per place. Over half of first preference applications resulted in an offer (proportion 1.07), indicating strong local demand.

The school takes pupils from across its large geographic catchment. Some pupils travel substantial distances, with Anstey being served by a dedicated minibus route for sixth form students.

The school operates from 8:50am to 3:20pm. The site is easily accessible from the A6 and A46, with links to the M1 motorway. Several bus routes serve the location, making it reachable from across Leicester and the surrounding villages. The school has a large outdoor space with modern facilities including the Palmer-Tomkinson Theatre, multiple sports pitches, and purpose-built drama and music spaces.

For sixth form students specifically, transport to Cedars Martin is provided via a dedicated minibus for students in Anstey; other students access the sixth form from multiple bus routes connecting Leicester and surrounding areas.

Progress 8 below average: With a Progress 8 score of -0.31, pupils here make below-average progress relative to their starting points compared to national peers. While Attainment 8 is in line with the England average, the gap widens over time, suggesting that students do not keep pace with expected trajectory through secondary school. Families should be aware that despite solid starting points, the school has not yet closed this progress gap.

Attainment 8 at national baseline: The GCSE Attainment 8 score of 45.7 is essentially identical to the England average. This is neither a strength nor a weakness, but reflects typical performance. For families looking for schools with consistently higher GCSE grades, this may not offer competitive advantage; equally, for those in catchment, this reflects mainstream, solid secondary provision.

Oversubscribed secondary entry: The school is in high demand locally, receiving over 2 applications for every place available at Year 7. For families not within the tightest catchment bands, securing a place may be uncertain. Families should verify their precise location relative to distance thresholds.

Variable leavers destinations data: The cohort size of 30 sixth form leavers is relatively small, meaning year-to-year variation in university progression percentages is significant. The 70% to university figure should be seen as indicative rather than predictive for future years.

The Cedars Academy is a solid, improving comprehensive secondary serving a diverse catchment across north Leicester. The school has rebuilt itself deliberately following earlier inspection findings, now rated Good with calm behaviour, effective safeguarding, and a carefully designed curriculum. GCSE and A-level attainment sit at or slightly above national norms, though Progress 8 suggests the school faces challenges in accelerating progress from students' starting points. The sixth form delivers stronger outcomes and operates from dedicated, modern facilities.

The school suits families within its oversubscribed catchment who value a non-selective, inclusive comprehensive environment with improving momentum and a commitment to supporting students with additional needs. It is less suitable for families seeking either significantly above-average exam results or schools with marked Progress 8 advantage. The main challenge for entry is the high demand relative to places available; for those who secure admission, the experience reflects a school where adults work deliberately to support learning and wellbeing.