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Leigh Academy Rainham Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

Leigh Academy Rainham is a free s secondary school in Gillingham, Medway , serving pupils aged 11-19, with 793 pupils, and a capacity of 1150 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby secondary schools below.

11-19

Age range

793

Pupils

1,150

Capacity

69%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2024

Leigh Academy Rainham Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Leigh Academy Rainham?

The catchment area for Leigh Academy Rainham is the geographic zone Medway uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Medway publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Secondary school places at Leigh Academy Rainham are allocated by Medway using ranked oversubscription criteria. Catchment area residence is typically among the highest priorities after looked-after children and siblings, and the boundary is reviewed each year.

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Medway before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Medway catchment area documents →

Leigh Academy Rainham: 1150 places, 69% filled: places available

Leigh Academy Rainham has a published admission number of 1150 places. 793 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 69%. At 69% full, the school currently has headroom below its 1150 place limit. Catchment distance criteria still apply when the school is oversubscribed, but at current demand levels, places have been available for applicants outside the immediate catchment area.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 21.1% of pupils at Leigh Academy Rainham are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Medway.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

Medway publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. Find Medway school admissions →

Leigh Academy Rainham: School Information

Full address
Otterham Quay Lane, Rainham, Gillingham, ME8 8GS
Local authority
Medway
School type
Free schools
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-19 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
21.1% of pupils
DfE URN
148577

Other Secondary Schools in Gillingham

If Leigh Academy Rainham is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Gillingham are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Leigh Academy Rainham by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: Leigh Academy Rainham

What is the catchment area for Leigh Academy Rainham?

The catchment area for Leigh Academy Rainham is the geographic zone Medway uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Medway publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Leigh Academy Rainham oversubscribed?

Leigh Academy Rainham has a capacity of 1150 places and currently has 793 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Medway.

What is the admissions policy for Leigh Academy Rainham?

Admission to Leigh Academy Rainham is managed by Medway. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does Leigh Academy Rainham cover?

Leigh Academy Rainham is a secondary school in Gillingham, Medway, serving pupils aged 11-19. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Leigh Academy Rainham?

Leigh Academy Rainham was rated Good by Ofsted in 2024. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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