Castle Mead Academy

  • Secondary
  • Free school
  • Ages 11 to 16
Ofsted: Outstanding

Richard III Road, Leicester, LE3 5QTOpen in maps

Castle Mead Academy is a secondary school in Leicester for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 136 schools in Leicester. It ranks 5th of 33 secondary schools in Leicester. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in October 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 24 October 2023, report published 16 November 2023

Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Met

Read the full Ofsted report

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 24 October 2023

Castle Mead Academy is an exceptional school. There is a 'can-do' culture where staff ensure that pupils take a full and active part in school life. Pupils proudly attend this aspirational and visionary school. Pupils follow the 'Castle Credo' of be kind, work hard and build your character. Pupils excel at Castle Mead due to the school's extremely high expectations of them. The behaviour of pupils is exemplary. There is a consistently calm learning environment at this school. Pupils highly value that the environment enables their learning. The school does not tolerate bullying and discriminatory language. On the rare occasion that there is a bullying incident, the school takes effective action. Consequently, pupils feel happy and safe here. Opportunities to develop pupils' talents and interests go beyond what is expected and are wide ranging through the 'enrichment electives' for all pupils. Many pupils benefit from music and rowing scholarships. Disadvantaged pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), speak highly of these opportunities. A comment typical of many parents and carers was: 'This is a fantastic school where the scholars are supported to achieve excellence for all.'

Read the full Ofsted report

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

246 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score48.0

48.0, 1.9 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths55.3%

55.3%, 9.9 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths70.3%

70.3%, 5.5 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc78%

78%, 37.5 percentage points above the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.56

4.56, 0.47 above the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

1,223 pupils on roll, with places for 1,200

Eligible for free school meals47.8%

47.8%, 21.3 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language51.4%

51.4%, 29.8 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support15.7%

15.7%, 0.9 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan3.1%

3.1%, 2.9 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Castle Mead Academy

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Brook Mead Academy0.7 milesOfsted: OutstandingNot published
Beauchamp City Sixth Form0.9 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published
Moat Community College1 mileOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 44.6
Fullhurst Community College1 mileOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 39.2
English Martyrs' Catholic School, A Voluntary Academy1 mileOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 54.0

School details

School type
Free schools
Sector
Free school
Trust
THE MEAD EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Age range
11 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
No
Headteacher
Miss Chloe French
Phone
01162143150
Website
castle-tmet.uk
Address
Richard III Road, Leicester, LE3 5QT
Local authority
Leicester
URN
147068

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.