The Lenham School
Ham Lane, Maidstone, ME17 2LL
Pupils
826
Ages
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Age range
11 to 18
Gender
Mixed
Pupils
826
Headteacher
Mr Robbie Ferguson
Type
Secondary
Ofsted
Good
Local authority
Kent
Academy
Yes
Sixth form
Yes
About The Lenham School
The Lenham School is a secondary school in Lenham, near Maidstone for children aged 11 to 18, teaching boys and girls. Around 826 pupils are on roll. It is an academy rather than a council-run school, though Kent still coordinates the application process. There is a sixth form on site, so students can stay on for post-16 study. Mr Robbie Ferguson leads the school.
Inspection at a glance
At its most recent Ofsted inspection on 5 February 2025, The Lenham School was judged Good. The full inspection report is linked from this page so you can read the inspectors' own words.
How the school is performing
Overall absence stands at 9.3%, which is attendance of about 90.7% (2024/25). Around 30.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals. Figures come from the Department for Education's published school performance data and are shown in full further down this page.
Getting a place at The Lenham School
You apply for a place at The Lenham School on the secondary common application form through Kent, with the national deadline of 31 October. Where there are more applications than places, the school's published oversubscription criteria decide who is offered a place, typically starting with looked-after children and siblings. There is no separate entrance assessment. Always check the current admissions policy on the school's own website before you apply, because criteria can change year to year.
SEND at a glance
The Lenham School is a mainstream school, supporting pupils with SEND alongside their classmates through the graduated approach of assess, plan, do, review. The school's SEN information report is the authoritative source and is linked in the SEND section below.
The Lenham School contact details and location
You will find The Lenham School at Ham Lane, Lenham, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 2LL. The school office can be reached on 01622 858267. A map, directions and the school's own website link are on this page.
Ofsted inspection
Overall effectiveness
Last inspection: 05/11/2019
Quality of Education
How well pupils are taught and what they learn
Behaviour and Attitudes
How pupils behave and their attitude to learning
Personal Development
Support for pupils' wider growth and wellbeing
Leadership and Management
How well the school is run
Sixth Form
Quality of post-16 education
The Lenham School admissions and catchment area
No entrance test - you apply on the common application form
The Lenham School does not run its own entrance test. As an academy, its governing trust is the admissions authority and sets the arrangements within the national Admissions Code, while Kent County Council coordinates applications and offers. Oversubscription criteria usually cover looked-after children, siblings, distance from the school, and (for faith schools) faith criteria.
Dates and criteria change each year - always confirm with the school and Kent County Council. KCC school admissions →
How to apply
1. Apply on the common application form (September-31 October)
Complete the Secondary Common Application Form on the Kent County Council website. Kent residents can list up to 4 schools in preference order.
2. National Offer Day (1 March)
You'll be told your allocated school by email.
3. Accept and, if needed, appeal
Accept your place by the given date. If you didn't get your preferred school, you have the right to appeal - the school's admissions authority handles this.
4. In-year admissions
Moving mid-year? In-year applications for an academy are usually made direct to the school - check its website for the in-year form, or contact Kent County Council if you need help finding a place.
Didn't get a place? You can appeal
If The Lenham School is not offered on National Offer Day, you can appeal the decision. The appeal is heard by an independent panel and is free to submit.
How to appeal a school offerThe Lenham School results and attendance
KS2 results
N/A
A-Level results
Not published
Attendance
Free school meals
SEND support at The Lenham School
SEND setting
Mainstream school
For full details, visit the school's SEND information page.
Wraparound care and nursery at The Lenham School
Nursery
No
Breakfast club
Please check with the school
After-school club
Please check with the school
The Lenham School term dates: Kent standard term dates for 2026/27
These are Kent County Council's standard term dates. Your school may use different dates and INSET days, so check the school's website before making plans.
Autumn 1 · 2026
1 Sep-23 Oct
Autumn 2 · 2026
2 Nov-18 Dec
Spring 1 · 2027
4 Jan-12 Feb
Spring 2 · 2027
22 Feb-25 Mar
Summer 1 · 2027
12 Apr-28 May
Summer 2 · 2027
7 Jun-21 Jul
The Lenham School: frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a place at The Lenham School?
Apply through Kent on the secondary common application form by 31 October, naming The Lenham School as one of your preferences. Offers are made on National Offer Day on 1 March.
What is The Lenham School's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated The Lenham School Good at its inspection on 5 February 2025. You can open the full report from the inspection section of this page.
How big is The Lenham School and what ages does it take?
The Lenham School has around 826 pupils on roll and covers ages 11 to 18. It is a mixed school taking boys and girls.
What SEND support does The Lenham School offer?
The Lenham School is recorded as a mainstream school. The school's SEN information report has the current detail and is linked in the SEND section of this page.
What are The Lenham School's term dates and INSET days?
The Lenham School follows the standard Kent pattern for 2026/27, set out term by term on this page. INSET days are set by the school itself, so confirm them on the school's own calendar.
Where is The Lenham School and how do I contact the school?
The Lenham School is at Ham Lane, Lenham, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 2LL. The office number is 01622 858267. A map and directions are on this page.
About this information. Compiled from published sources including the Department for Education, Ofsted and the school's own website. Last reviewed Summer 2026.
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Get my profile builtSchools near The Lenham School
The closest schools to ME17 2LL, measured from each school's own location.
Sutton Valence · Independent · 5.4 miles
Sutton Valence School
Sittingbourne · Secondary · 6.6 miles
Fulston Manor School
Sittingbourne · Grammar · 6.6 miles
Highsted Grammar School
Sittingbourne · Secondary · 6.8 miles
The Sittingbourne School
Sittingbourne · Grammar · 6.9 miles
Borden Grammar School
Sittingbourne · Independent · 7.1 miles
VTC Independent School
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