Leigh Academy Marden
Goudhurst Road, Marden, Tonbridge, TN12 9JXOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Leigh Academy Marden is a primary school in Tonbridge for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 692 schools in Kent. It ranks 6th of 21 primary schools in Tonbridge. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in February 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 28 February 2023, report published 26 April 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Outstanding
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Outstanding
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 28 February 2023
It is a pleasure to meet the happy and enthusiastic pupils at Marden Primary Academy. They reflect the school's values of 'ready, respect, safe' in all that they do. Parents describe the school as having 'a strong community feel, which is hugely inclusive'. Leaders have ensured that expectations for pupils to behave and work well are very high, including in the early years. Pupils treat each other with respect and kindness in all year groups and celebrate each other's differences. As a result, bullying is extremely rare, and pupils have every confidence that staff will resolve it if it does happen. Pupils share warm and trusting relationships with staff, who model positive behaviours. Marden Primary Academy is a happy school where pupils immerse themselves in the life of the school and local community. For instance, they take part in the Easter bonnet parade and produce artwork for the 'Poppy Walk' to commemorate Remembrance Day. Pupils enjoy taking part in a vast range of clubs and trips to enrich their learning. For example, a visit to Ypres helped pupils in key stage 2 to develop their understanding of the First World War. Leaders are careful to ensure that those who would benefit most attend the clubs and enrichment activities that are on offer.
What the school should improve
- The curriculum in some subjects is still at an early stage of development. This means that the expert practice that is seen more widely across the curriculum is not yet fully secure in a small number of subjects. Leaders need to continue to provide staff, particularly those who are newly appointed, with time and professional development opportunities, to ensure that the intended curriculum is consistently well embedded in all subjects.
- Adults in the early years do not yet consistently maximise opportunities for children to explore ideas further and develop independence in their learning. Leaders need to continue to support staff in sharpening their practice so that effective questioning and engagement are used consistently well to develop children's independence, resilience and understanding.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
42 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
323 pupils on roll, with places for 275
Schools near Leigh Academy Marden
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Margaret's, Collier Street Church of England Voluntary Controlled School | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 59% met the expected standard |
| Staplehurst School | 3 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| Hunton Church of England Primary School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 69% met the expected standard |
| Leigh Academy Horsmonden | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | 70% met the expected standard |
| Colliers Green Church of England Primary School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 75% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- LEIGH ACADEMIES TRUST
- Age range
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Stephanie Goodall
- Phone
- 01622831393
- Address
- Goudhurst Road, Marden, Tonbridge, TN12 9JX
- Local authority
- Kent
- URN
- 148116
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.