Maltings Academy Review 2026: A Community School Navigating Change

Maltings Academy serves the Witham community in Essex as a mixed secondary school for students aged 11 to 16. Occupying a modern, purpose-built campus in Spinks Lane, the school provides an environment for 1,100 students. Part of Lift Schools (formerly Academies Enterprise Trust), it has experienced a period of transition in recent years. The 2024 GCSE results indicate the school currently performs in the bottom 40% of schools in England (66th percentile), though it remains a popular local choice. With nearly two applications for every available place, demand for entry remains steady despite a recent shift in official assessment.

The academy presents a contemporary face to the town, with expansive glass frontages and open-plan learning zones that reflect its status as a modern build. There is a sense of purpose during lesson transitions, and the campus feels designed for the scale of its student body.

Ms Leanne Abbott-Jones took over as Principal in the summer of 2024, having previously served as Vice Principal. Her appointment carries a unique local weight; as a former student of the academy, she brings a deep personal connection to the Witham community. She is supported by Michelle Hughes, who continues in her role as Executive Principal.

The academy operates under the Lift Schools values of providing an excellent education for every child, in every classroom, every day. While the atmosphere is more structured than in previous years, there is a clear effort to maintain the community feel that has historically characterized the school. Students generally describe the environment as one where they feel safe, and the leadership has focused on embedding clearer routines across the school day to address previous inconsistencies.

Performance metrics at Maltings Academy reflect the challenges of its recent transition period. In 2024, the school achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 39.02, which sits below the England average. The Progress 8 score of -0.64 indicates that students currently make less progress from their starting points than their peers nationally.

Ranked 3,064th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the academy ranks 1st among secondary schools in Witham. This local ranking highlights its position as a primary provider for the immediate town. However, the England percentile band of national lower indicates that there is significant work to be done to bring outcomes back in line with the school's previous high-water marks.

At the EBacc level, 9.4% of students achieved a grade 5 or above, compared to the England average of 40.5%. These figures suggest a curriculum where many students are currently directed toward vocational or alternative pathways.

The curriculum at Maltings Academy is designed to provide breadth, though recent focus has shifted toward ensuring the fundamentals of literacy and numeracy are consistently delivered. Teaching follows a structured model intended to support students of all abilities, with a particular emphasis on closing the gap for those who arrive with lower starting points.

In the classroom, there is a push for higher levels of engagement. The school has worked to move away from some of the less effective open-plan teaching practices of the past, opting for more traditional, focused environments where possible. Science and Mathematics are core pillars of the curriculum, with dedicated laboratory spaces that allow for practical experimentation.

Staff are currently working through a period of professional development aimed at improving the use of assessment in the classroom. The goal is to ensure that teachers identify and address gaps in student knowledge more rapidly. While this is a work in progress, the leadership has made clear that raising the quality of daily instruction is the school's top priority.

Extracurricular life at the academy is designed to offer students a break from the academic routine while building soft skills. The school makes use of its strong sporting facilities, including a large sports hall and all-weather pitches. Football and netball are mainstays of the competitive calendar, but the school also encourages participation in less traditional activities.

The STEM Excellence programme is a notable feature, providing students with opportunities to engage in robotics and coding clubs. These sessions often use the academy's well-equipped computer suites to give students hands-on experience with technology. Creative arts also play a role, with annual productions and art exhibitions providing a platform for student expression.

For those interested in leadership, the student council and prefect system offer formal routes to contribute to school life. These roles have been revitalised recently to give students more of a voice in how the school's behaviour policies are implemented and refined.

Admissions are coordinated by Essex County Council. The academy is consistently oversubscribed, a trend that continued into the 2024-2025 academic year. For the most recent intake, there were 260 applications for 136 offers, representing a subscription proportion of 1.91. This means that for every place available, nearly two families listed the school as a preference.

Entry is based on the standard local authority criteria, with priority given to looked-after children, siblings, 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 the last distance offered.

The admissions round for September 2026 entry opened on 12 September 2025, with a statutory national closing date of 31 October 2025. National Offer Day is on 2 March 2026.

Fees & Financial Aid

As a state-funded academy, Maltings Academy does not charge tuition fees. Education is provided free of charge to all enrolled students.

Families should budget for standard associated costs such as the school uniform, which is a mandatory requirement, and any voluntary contributions for school trips or specialized materials for elective subjects. Financial support for families eligible for Free School Meals is available to assist with these costs and ensuring access to the Pupil Premium fund.

Pastoral care is organised through a year-group system, where students are supported by a form tutor and a dedicated Year Lead. This structure is intended to ensure that every student is known well by at least one member of staff who can monitor both their academic progress and their social wellbeing.

The school has recently introduced more robust systems for tracking behaviour and attendance. Following the most recent inspection, leaders have worked hard to ensure that expectations are applied consistently. There is a focus on anti-bullying measures, and students are encouraged to report concerns through both formal and anonymous channels.

For students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), the academy provides support through a team led by the SENDCO. This includes in-class assistance and small-group interventions. The school has established systems for pupil safety, though a 2024 monitoring visit noted that ensuring all students feel consistently safe remains a priority.

The school day typically begins at 8:40am and concludes at 3:10pm. The campus is accessible from Witham town centre, and many students walk or cycle to school. For those coming from further afield, local bus routes serve the Spinks Lane area.

Detailed information regarding daily schedules and wraparound care options is available directly from the school office. While there is no formal primary-style breakfast club, the school canteen is typically open before the start of the day for students to gather.

• Requires Improvement rating: The September 2023 Ofsted report rated the school as Requires Improvement overall. A monitoring visit in May 2024 confirmed that leaders are taking effective action, but consistency across all areas is still being established.
• High demand for places: With a subscription ratio of nearly 2:1, entry is competitive. Living within the immediate priority admission area of Witham is usually necessary to secure a place.
• Academic trajectory: GCSE results currently sit below England averages. Families seeking a highly academic environment may wish to compare these results with other local options using the Comparison Tool on the Local Hub page.
• Principal's local roots: The Principal, Ms Abbott-Jones, is a former student, which has been positively received by the community as a sign of long-term commitment to the school's local identity.

Maltings Academy is a school in the midst of a concerted effort to regain its former standing. It offers modern facilities and a leadership team with deep local roots that is transparent about the challenges ahead. Best suited to local families who value a purpose-built environment and want to be part of a community school that is actively addressing its areas for development. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature to manage their shortlist.