The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Last reviewed: February 2026 · Rankings and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Long Field Spencer Academy serves the Melton Mowbray community as a modern, co-educational secondary school for students aged 11 to 19. Since joining the Spencer Academies Trust in 2015, the school has established a reputation for stability and reliable academic standards. Currently led by Principal Chris Haggett, who took up the post in June 2015, the academy balances its capacity of approximately 935 pupils with a focus on individual student progress. Its most recent performance data suggests a school that comfortably meets the expectations of its local catchment, providing a consistent educational pathway through to post-16 study.
The atmosphere at Long Field is defined by its membership in the Spencer Academies Trust, which brings a structured approach to both curriculum and behaviour. This partnership is visible in the school's clear expectations and its focus on character development through its house system, which includes houses named Leo, Phoenix, Pegasus, and Titan. Students move between lessons with purpose, and the school operates with a sense of calm that reflects its Good Ofsted rating, last confirmed in a full inspection in May 2023.
The academy sits on Ambleside Way, featuring a campus that has seen modern updates to support its varied curriculum. While it is large enough to offer a broad range of subjects, it avoids the anonymity of some larger city secondaries. Staff and students often describe a community where pupils feel safe and supported, backed by a trust-wide philosophy that aims to provide high quality education regardless of a student's starting point.
In the 2025 GCSE dataset, Long Field Spencer Academy demonstrates a solid academic profile. The school ranks 1st in Melton Mowbray for overall secondary performance (FindMySchool ranking) and 1,801st out of 3,895 schools in England for GCSE academic outcomes. This reflects a secure mainstream secondary profile rather than a highly selective or elite academic picture.
Key performance indicators show the academy performing securely. The average Attainment 8 score is 46.1, while the Progress 8 score of 0.06 indicates that students make progress slightly above the England average from their starting points at the end of primary school. In the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), 21.7% of students achieved a grade 5 or above, supported by an EBacc average point score of 4.2.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
GCSE
1801st
England rank
Ranking figures update automatically as our data refreshes and are the definitive source. Any rankings quoted in the review text were accurate when it was written and may since have changed.
The curriculum at Long Field is designed to be inclusive yet challenging, catering to a mixed ability intake. At Key Stage 3, students follow a broad programme that transitions into a variety of GCSE and vocational options in Key Stage 4. Teachers use the Spencer Academies Trust framework to ensure lessons are structured and learning objectives are clear.
Specialist facilities support the delivery of the sciences and technology, and the school places a significant emphasis on literacy and numeracy across the curriculum. Small group interventions are used for students who require additional support to reach their targets, ensuring that the slightly positive progress 8 score is maintained across different cohorts.
As an 11 to 19 academy, many students choose to continue their education at the Long Field Spencer Academy Sixth Form. For those who move on after Year 11 or Year 13, the school provides a dedicated careers service. While specific university destination numbers for the latest cohort are not published, the school maintains strong links with local further education providers and apprenticeship schemes.
The sixth form provision allows for a continuity of pastoral care and teaching style, which many families value. Students progressing to higher education typically look toward regional universities in the Midlands, including Leicester, Nottingham, and Loughborough.
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
FMS Inspection Score calculated by FindMySchool based on official inspection data.
Admissions are coordinated by Leicestershire County Council for Year 7 entry. For 2027 entry, the current verified timetable gives a 31 October 2026 application deadline and a 1 March 2027 offer day; families should still check the council's oversubscription criteria for their address.
The school's demand level reflects its strong local standing. Parents interested in securing a place should consult the Leicestershire admissions portal for the most up to date catchment details. Families can also use the FindMySchool map search to view their proximity to the school gates, as distance remains a primary factor in the allocation of places once siblings and children with specific needs are prioritised.
As a state-funded academy, Long Field Spencer Academy does not charge tuition fees. Admission is open to all students within the local authority's criteria regardless of financial background. Families may need to account for typical costs associated with state education, such as school uniforms, optional extracurricular trips, and individual music tuition.
Applications
464
Total received
Places Offered
172
Subscription Rate
2.7x
Applications per place
Pastoral care is organised through a year group system, ensuring that every student has a dedicated form tutor who acts as the first point of contact. The academy prioritises a safe learning environment, and the latest inspection reports confirm that safeguarding procedures are effective and well managed.
The school uses its house system to encourage healthy competition and a sense of belonging. Wellbeing is supported by a dedicated pastoral team that handles everything from attendance issues to emotional support, ensuring that students are ready to learn when they enter the classroom.
The extracurricular life at Long Field is varied, with a strong emphasis on both sport and the arts. The academy makes good use of its sports fields and indoor spaces for clubs that run before and after school.
Students participate in local Melton and Leicestershire leagues in football, netball, and athletics. The academy also offers a range of fitness based activities to encourage general health and wellbeing.
The school has a dedicated music and drama department, often producing annual performances that involve students from across all year groups.
Coding clubs and science challenges are offered to students who wish to explore technical subjects beyond the standard curriculum.
The school day typically runs from 8:35am to 3:05pm. Being located in Melton Mowbray, the school is accessible via local bus routes, and many students walk from the surrounding residential areas. While the school does not offer a formal breakfast club, the canteen is open before the start of the day for students to gather.
Long Field Spencer Academy is a reliable and well performing community school that has thrived under trust leadership. It provides a balanced education with a slightly above average progress rate, making it an excellent choice for families in Melton Mowbray who want a stable environment with clear progression to sixth form. Best suited to local students of all abilities who will benefit from a structured, supportive atmosphere. The main challenge for prospective families is the high level of competition for places.
Yes. Long Field Spencer Academy is currently rated Good by Ofsted, following its latest inspection in May 2023. It ranks 1st in Melton Mowbray for overall secondary performance and achieves a Progress 8 score of 0.06, meaning students make slightly more progress than the England average.
Applications for Year 7 entry in September 2027 must be made through Leicestershire County Council's coordinated admissions process by the closing date of 31 October 2026. National offer day for these applications is 1 March 2027.
The school achieves an average Attainment 8 score of 46.1, which is a secure performance. FindMySchool ranks it 1,801st out of 3,895 schools in England for GCSE academic outcomes, reflecting a typical mainstream secondary profile.
Yes, the academy provides education for students up to age 19. The sixth form offers a range of A-level and vocational qualifications, allowing students to stay within the same school environment for their post-16 studies.
While there is no fixed catchment line, the school is oversubscribed, meaning distance from the school gate is a major factor in admissions. In recent years, demand has been high enough that living in the immediate Melton Mowbray area is usually necessary to secure a place.
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Information on this page is compiled, analysed, and processed from publicly available sources including the Department for Education (DfE), Ofsted, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, and official school websites.
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