East Leake Academy Review 2026: A Balanced Community Hub for Academic and Personal Growth

Set in a village location that straddles the border of Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, East Leake Academy serves as a pivotal educational hub for the local community. The academy, which caters to approximately 1,200 students, presents an atmosphere where academic expectations are balanced with a clear focus on individual development. As part of the Diverse Academies Trust, the school benefits from a wider network of support while maintaining a distinct identity rooted in its village setting. The 2024 results and inspection findings confirm a solid performance, placing the academy in the top tier of local options in Loughborough and reflecting a stable upward trajectory in both GCSE and A-level outcomes.

The academy occupies a site that feels spacious and well integrated into the village of East Leake. The physical environment is modern and functional, providing a professional backdrop for daily school life. Under the leadership of Principal Tom Reid, who has focused on embedding a culture of care and respect, the school has cultivated an environment where students feel safe and valued. The atmosphere during the school day is typically calm, with students moving between lessons with purpose.

East Leake Academy joined the Diverse Academies Trust in 2012, and the trust influence is visible in the structured approach to curriculum development and staff training. This partnership has allowed the academy to invest in facilities and specialist teaching that might be out of reach for a standalone school. The community feel remains a primary characteristic; many staff members have long-standing ties to the area, and there is a genuine sense of partnership between the school and local families.

At GCSE, the academy consistently delivers results that align with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). In 2024, East Leake Academy achieved an Attainment 8 score of 47.7, which is above the England average of 46.3. The school ranks 1,761st in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and ranks 5th among secondary schools in the Loughborough area, confirming its status as a strong local performer.

The sixth form performance is similarly robust. In 2024, 46.7% of A-level entries achieved A* to B grades, while nearly 18% hit the top A* or A marks. The academy ranks 1,288th in England and 3rd in Loughborough for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). These results reflect a sixth form that successfully supports students of varying starting points to achieve competitive grades.

Teaching at East Leake Academy is characterized by clear structures and a focus on subject expertise. The curriculum is broad and balanced, designed to provide students with a strong foundation in core subjects while allowing for specialization as they move toward GCSEs. The latest Ofsted inspection in October 2024 confirmed that the quality of education is good, noting that leaders have high aspirations for all students.

The academy has made significant strides in its Ebacc entry rates, ensuring a high proportion of students study a combination of academic subjects including languages and humanities. In 2024, the average Ebacc APS score was 4.23, outperforming the England average of 4.08. This suggests that the academic core of the school is healthy and that students are being pushed toward more rigorous pathways.

Where Students Go Next

The academy has a dedicated careers team that supports students through the transition points at Year 11 and Year 13. For the 2024 cohort, the university progression rate stood at 54%, with a significant number of students moving on to Russell Group institutions. The academy success in elite admissions is evidenced by its history of students securing places at the University of Cambridge, including a successful applicant in the measurement period.

Beyond university, there is a notable trend toward high-quality apprenticeships, with 9% of leavers choosing this route. Employment remains a significant pathway for approximately 21% of the cohort, often in local industries or services. This diverse range of destinations suggests that the academy successfully prepares students for multiple post-18 realities.

Admissions are coordinated by Nottinghamshire County Council. The academy is currently oversubscribed, with a subscription proportion of 1.66, meaning there are significantly more applicants than available places. In the most recent intake, 204 offers were made against 338 total applications.

For Year 7 entry, the academy typically fills from its named feeder primary schools in East Leake and the surrounding villages. Parents should note that while the academy is located near the Leicestershire border, it follows Nottinghamshire admissions criteria. Prospective families are encouraged to use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to the last distance offered.

Fees & Financial Aid

As a state-funded academy, East Leake Academy has no tuition fees. However, the school provides structured financial support through the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund for sixth form students facing financial barriers. High priority is given to students from households with an income of less than £21,000, while discretionary awards are available for families with incomes up to £31,000. These bursaries help cover the costs of transport, books, and essential equipment. Additionally, the school utilizes Pupil Premium funding to support eligible students in younger year groups with literacy interventions and extracurricular access.

Pastoral care is organized through a house system, which helps to create smaller, more manageable communities within the larger school. Each student has a form tutor who acts as the primary point of contact for families. The school has invested in mental health support, with dedicated staff members trained to provide emotional guidance for students facing challenges.

According to the most recent Ofsted inspection, safeguarding is effective and students feel valued and cared for. Inspectors observed a purposeful atmosphere in lessons where students respect their peers and teachers, though they noted that the school continues to work on ensuring mutual respect is consistent among all pupils.

The extracurricular programme is a central pillar of academy life, with a strong emphasis on sport and the creative arts. The school site includes a well equipped sports hall and outdoor pitches that host a range of fixtures. Specific clubs like the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme are popular, and the school runs a personal development programme covering careers and healthy living.

STEM

STEM subjects are a clear area of focus, with modern laboratories and dedicated IT suites. The academy runs specific STEM focused initiatives, including coding clubs and science challenge days. The mathematics department is particularly active, often entering students into national competitions to test their skills against peers across England.

The school day typically runs from 8:40 am to 3:15 pm, with a range of after-school clubs extending the day. For travel, the academy is well served by local bus routes connecting it to Loughborough and Nottingham. Families should refer to the school website for specific transport eligibility from neighboring Leicestershire.

• Oversubscribed status: With 1.66 applications for every place, entry is competitive. Families living outside the immediate catchment or not attending a feeder school may find it difficult to secure a place.
• Sixth Form Entry: Progression to the sixth form is subject to meeting specific GCSE grade requirements for chosen subjects.
• Village Location: While the setting is a strength, students from further afield are dependent on bus routes that can be subject to local traffic delays.

East Leake Academy is a solid, dependable choice that successfully balances academic ambition with a community focused ethos. Its results place it comfortably within the middle tier of English schools, but its local standing in Loughborough is notably high. Best suited to families who want a mainstream, well-regulated environment where students are encouraged to pursue academic subjects without losing sight of personal wellbeing. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature to manage their shortlist.