Leigh Stationers' Primary Academy is a high-performing primary school in Welling, Kent, serving a mixed community within the London Borough of Bexley. The academy consistently produces results that rival the most prestigious schools in the country, currently ranking 581st in England (FindMySchool proprietary ranking). This puts the school well above the England average, placing it in the top 10% of schools in England (national high percentile band).
Part of the Leigh Academies Trust, the school has undergone a significant transformation since its conversion. It is a single-form entry academy, meaning it maintains a close-knit, community feel with a capacity of approximately 236 pupils. The current Principal, Rebecca England, took office in September 2023 and has successfully upheld an ambitious culture. Results reflect this drive; 92% of pupils meet the expected standards in reading, writing, and mathematics, which is significantly higher than the England average of 62%.
The atmosphere at Leigh Stationers' Primary Academy is defined by a sense of calm purpose and high expectations. Despite its location in a busy part of Kent, the school operates as a focused academic hub. The connection with the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers, one of the City of London's historic livery companies, provides a unique heritage and a bridge to traditional values of literacy and communication.
The physical environment is clean, bright, and heavily invested in technology to support the curriculum. There is a palpable sense of pride among the pupils, who wear their academy blazers and ties with a level of formality more common in secondary schools. This professional atmosphere is designed to prepare children for the transition to the Trust's secondary academies, yet it remains supportive and age-appropriate.
Under the Leigh Academies Trust umbrella, the school benefits from a shared educational philosophy focused on "human-scale" education. This means that although it is part of a large network, the individual child is the focus. The October 2024 Ofsted inspection confirmed that the school continues to maintain its Outstanding standards across all areas. Inspectors praised the inclusive, safe, and stimulating environment where pupils thrive.
The academic performance at Leigh Stationers' Primary Academy is exceptional. In 2024, the school ranked 2nd among all primary schools in Welling (FindMySchool ranking). The headline metric of 92% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics is 30% higher than the England average.
At the higher standard, the school is even more distinctive. Nearly half of the pupils (47%) achieved the higher standard in reading, writing, and mathematics combined, compared to an England average of just 8%. This level of "greater depth" achievement indicates a teaching model that effectively pushes the most able pupils.
Average scaled scores further confirm this strength:
These results place the academy in the elite tier of primary providers within Bexley.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
Reading, Writing & Maths
92%
% of pupils achieving expected standard
The academy follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP), a framework that emphasizes inquiry-based learning. This approach moves away from rote memorization, instead encouraging pupils to ask questions and make connections between subjects. For example, a unit on "How the World Works" might integrate science, geography, and literacy through a single project.
Specialist teaching is a hallmark of the Trust. Even at the primary level, pupils benefit from expertise in areas such as modern foreign languages and digital technology. The "Small Schools" model ensures that while the curriculum is ambitious, teachers have the time to tailor interventions for individual pupils.
The focus on literacy is particularly strong, as evidenced by the 97% of pupils meeting the expected standard in reading. The school utilizes the Stationers' connection to celebrate the "power of the word," hosting events that emphasize the importance of writing and publishing from an early age.
The academy includes an integrated nursery provision, welcoming children from age 3. The nursery is physically and philosophically aligned with the main school, allowing for a seamless transition into Reception.
Early Years practitioners focus on the "Prime Areas" of learning, specifically communication and language, which serves as the foundation for the school's high reading scores in later years. The nursery environment is designed to foster independence, with children encouraged to choose their own activities and tidy up their spaces. For nursery fee details, visit the school website. Government-funded hours are available for eligible families; see our guide to nursery funding for more information on how to access these credits.
Quality of Education
N/A
Behaviour & Attitudes
N/A
Personal Development
N/A
Leadership & Management
Outstanding
With a capacity of 236, Leigh Stationers' is small enough for the Principal and staff to maintain a detailed understanding of every child's wellbeing. The school uses a "Values-led" approach, where children are rewarded for demonstrating traits such as resilience, integrity, and empathy.
The pastoral system is proactive rather than reactive. Regular "check-ins" and a strong Special Educational Needs (SEN) coordinator ensure that any barriers to learning are identified early. For pupils requiring extra support, the school provides tailored emotional literacy sessions. Behaviour is exemplary; inspectors noted that pupils treat each other with great care and consideration, committed to making the school a happy place for all.
Extracurricular life is surprisingly broad for a single-form entry school. The academy utilizes its links with the Trust to offer opportunities that smaller schools might struggle to match.
The STEM: Innovation Lab is a particular highlight, where pupils engage with coding and basic robotics. The school also offers a range of clubs including:
Where pupils produce their own digital news content.
Focused on environmental sustainability and local gardening projects.
Which often participates in Trust-wide concerts.
Sporting life is active, with teams representing the academy in Bexley-wide competitions in football, netball, and athletics. The academy also offers regular "Wild Forest" sessions, allowing younger pupils to engage in outdoor learning and risk-taking in a controlled environment.
Leigh Stationers' Primary Academy is highly oversubscribed. In the most recent admissions cycle, there were 116 applications for just 30 Reception places. This means there were nearly four applications (3.87) for every available seat, making it one of the most competitive schools in Welling.
The academy follows the Bexley local authority coordinated admissions process. For September 2026 entry, the application period opened on 1 September 2025 and closes on 15 January 2026. Priority is given to looked-after children, siblings of current pupils, and those living closest to the school. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to historical trends, as proximity is the deciding factor for most places.
Applications
116
Total received
Places Offered
30
Subscription Rate
3.9x
Apps per place
The school day typically runs from 8:40am to 3:15pm. The academy offers comprehensive wraparound care to support working families. The "Sunrise Club" (breakfast club) opens at 7:30am, and the "Sunset Club" (after-school provision) runs until 6:00pm, providing a range of structured activities and a healthy snack.
The school is located on Eastcote Road in Welling. While there is no dedicated parent parking on-site, the school is well-served by local bus routes (B11 and B16), and many families utilize the "walking bus" initiatives encouraged by the academy to reduce local congestion.
Leigh Stationers' Primary Academy is a state-funded academy; there are no tuition fees for pupils in Reception through Year 6. As part of the Leigh Academies Trust, the school receives public funding to provide a high-quality education at no cost to parents. However, some optional extracurricular trips, music lessons, or wraparound care sessions may incur modest charges.
Leigh Stationers' Primary Academy is an academic powerhouse that manages to maintain the warmth of a local village school. It successfully combines the resources of a large Multi-Academy Trust with the historic prestige of a City Livery Company. It is best suited to families who prioritize high academic standards and want their children to benefit from a modern, inquiry-based curriculum like the IB. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature to manage their shortlist and track application deadlines.
Yes, it is considered an exceptional school. It holds an Outstanding rating from Ofsted, confirmed in October 2024. KS2 results consistently exceed England averages, with 92% of pupils meeting expected standards in 2024. The school ranks in the top 10% of primary schools in England.
Applications are made via the Bexley Local Authority coordinated admissions system. For September 2026 entry, the application deadline is 15 January 2026. Due to the school being heavily oversubscribed, it is essential to list it as your first preference to have a realistic chance of entry.
The school does not have a fixed catchment boundary, but it uses distance as a primary tie-breaker. Given that there are nearly four applicants for every place, most successful applicants live in the immediate vicinity of Eastcote Road. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.
Yes, the academy has an integrated nursery for children aged 3 and 4. It offers a single intake each year. While attending the nursery does not guarantee a place in the main school’s Reception class, it provides an excellent foundation for the academy’s curriculum.
The PYP is an international curriculum framework that Leigh Stationers' uses to teach the National Curriculum. It focuses on inquiry-based learning, encouraging pupils to take responsibility for their own learning and develop a global perspective, rather than just memorizing facts for tests.
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