If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact the Academy via our email address admissions@rainham.latrust.org.uk
Admissions
Leigh Academy Rainham is a non-selective academy for boys and girls. Prospective pupils are not required to take or pass the Medway Test or any other entry tests to apply for a place at the Academy. This page provides the necessary documentation to understand the Admissions Arrangements for prospective Year 7 pupils. Leigh Academy Rainham’s PAN is 180. (PAN = the number of student spaces per year group.
Timeline for September 2026 admissions (for Medway)
Secondary school applications open.
Monday 1 September 2025
Secondary school applications close.
Friday 31 October 2025
Offers sent to parents and carers.
Monday 2 March 2026
Deadline for accepting/refusing offers, waiting requests and appeal requests.
Friday 27 March 2026
Re-allocation of school places and processing of late applications.
Monday 20 April 2026
End of admissions process and waiting lists close.
Monday 31 August 2026
Admissions FAQs
Does my child have to take the Medway Test or a Fair Banding Test to apply to Leigh Academy Rainham?
No. Children do not need to sit or pass the 11 plus or any other form of test to apply for our Academy. We are an inclusive academy that will be open to all pupils regardless of their academic ability.
Should I still apply for other schools in the area or will I be guaranteed a place?
Yes you should apply elsewhere as we cannot guarantee anyone a place. We strongly encourage you to use all your options as there has been significant interest in the Academy and it is very possible we may be oversubscribed. It is crucial that you also apply to other schools in the area via this website so that your child is not left without a place at a local school:
What is the catchment area? Is there a set distance you will accept children from?
There is no defined distance, postcodes or council areas we will be offering places to so if you live in Medway, or Swale, we encourage you to apply! We are often asked what mileage from the academy you will need to be in order to receive a place but there is not a specific border to our catchment. Whether you are successful in receiving a place is determined by the number of other applications we receive from children that may happen to live closer to the Academy than you. This means the catchment distance may vary year to year based on how many other people apply at various distances. If we are oversubscribed we apply our admissions criteria (as outlined in the document at the top of this page) and distance will be one of these criteria.
The Academy is very close to the border for Swale Council, despite being in Medway. Will I still be able to apply if I come under Swale Council but live very close to the Academy?
Yes and we encourage you to apply! As outlined above if we are over subscribed, distancing criteria is applied, therefore places are offered based on distance, not councils. Leigh Academy Rainham will be represented on both Medway and Kent County Council Admissions Pages so that you can apply regardless of which council you live in.
Can I purchase second hand uniform?
At LAR, we are committed to sustainability and helping our community. We have set up a Uniform Recycle Bin located just outside the reception area. Parents are encouraged to drop off any uniforms that are no longer needed.
Here’s how it works:
- Drop Off: Place your no-longer-needed uniforms in the bin.
- Collection: The bin is periodically emptied, and all donations are thoroughly washed.
- Reuse: Cleaned uniforms are displayed at our open events for parents to purchase for a small cash donation.
Your contributions help other families and support our community.
Thank you for your generosity and participation!
Open Events for September 2026 Admissions
Open Event for Parents and Carers of Year 6 Students
Year 6 Parent Tours
We invite parents with children currently in year 6 who are looking for a secondary school place for admission in September 2026 to book a space on our ‘Year 6 Parent Tour’. A member of the senior leadership team will give you a guided tour of the academy while answering any questions parents / students may have.
These tours are being held daily starting on Monday 29th September and finishing on Friday 10th October.
The tours will start at noon (so please arrive by 11.55am latest) and will last approximately 1 hour. Booking is essential as spaces are very limited, please note one ticket allows entry to one family comprising of one parent plus one year 6 child.
If you require assistance on the tour (for example if you need to use the lift and cannot use the stairs) please email:- info@rainham.latrust.org.uk to request this.
(These tours are aimed at families who were not able to attend the main open event on Wednesday 24th September)
Please note booking is essential for these and spaces are limited.
In year admissions
For in year admissions at Leigh Academy Rainham, an application form is available via the link below.
In Year Admissions to Leigh Academy Rainham
Furthermore, if you have any admission enquiries for Leigh Academy Rainham, please contact the Academy on 01634 412440 or via email at admissions@rainham.latrust.org.uk.
Appeals
If you have not been offered a place at Leigh Academy Rainham, the law entitles you to appeal against that decision to an Independent Appeal Panel. This panel is completely independent of the school and the Local Authority. All appeals will be heard online which has the advantage that your appeal can be heard from your home or place of work.
If you wish to appeal, please use this link to complete your appeal online. Please do NOT use ANY other appeal form or send your form to your local authority. It is suggested that you download the explanatory booklet about appeals which you should read before you complete the appeal form –
You should include any evidence or supporting material with your appeal form and you MUST give the grounds for your appeal at the time you lodge your appeal form. Your appeal form will not be accepted unless you state the grounds for your appeal. You may appeal for more than one school, but on different forms.
You should include any evidence or supporting material with your appeal form (photos of your child will not be accepted). You MUST state the grounds of your appeal at the time you lodge your appeal form. Your appeal form will not be accepted unless you give the grounds of your appeal. You may appeal for more than one school, but a separate form must be completed for each school you wish to appeal a place at. If you are appealing for more than one child, a separate form must be completed for each child.
Please note that the online form will ask you to download two utility bills dated in the last THREE months. If you do not have access to a scanner, please take two photographs using a mobile phone and upload the photographic files.
If you wish to contact the clerk – email: clerk@educationappeals.com
Information about Secondary Transfer appeals will be posted on this website before 28 February 2026.
Timetable for Appeals
Last day for lodging appeal forms for a place in year 7 to start in September 2025
4pm on Wednesday 2 April 2025 to guarantee that your appeal will be heard in the first tranche of appeals. Appeals lodged later may not be heard until the second tranche which could be in September 2025. You MUST state the reasons for your appeal and supply any documentary evidence at this stage.
The stage 1 part of the hearing (with other parents present) will take place on
Monday 12 May 2025 at 5.00 pm.
Part 2, the individual private hearings will take place on
Tuesday 13 May 2025 (depending on the number of appeals)
Invitation letter giving details about your hearing will be sent by the Clerk to the Independent Appeal Panel
At least 10 school days before the stage 1 hearing.
Any additional supporting evidence
Closing date is Friday 2 May 2025. You are advised that additional paperwork received on the day of the appeal hearing will not be taken into account. Please provide the Clerk with ONE copy of any new additional evidence BY EMAIL ONLY. These must be sent to clerk@educationappeals.com.
Letter from the Clerk informing you of the decision of the independent appeal panel
Due to the high number of appeals held at this time, this may not be sent until up to 10 working days after the last hearing for the school.
Mid-Term Applications Appeals
Last day for lodging appeal forms
20 School days after the decision letter informing you that you had not been offered a place.
Invitation letter giving details about your hearing will be sent by the Clerk to the Independent Appeal Panel
At least 10 school days before the hearing. This MAY be emailed.
All in-year appeals will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal form being lodged.
Closing date for any additional supporting evidence
FIVE school days before your hearing – by 4pm latest. You are advised that additional paperwork received on the day of the appeal hearing will not be taken into account. Please email files to clerk@educationappeals.com
Letter from the Clerk informing you of the decision of the independent appeal panel
Due to the high number of appeals, an email is sent a few working days after your hearing with the decision of the panel. This is followed up around 15 school days later with a letter outlining the panels’ reasons.
Sixth Form Applications Appeals
Last day for lodging appeal forms
31 August 2025. For 6th form appeals only, the appeal form can be completed by a student or parent.
Appeal form can be downloaded on this link
Invitation letter giving details about your hearing will be sent by the Clerk to the Independent Appeal Panel
In order to facilitate a hearing as soon as possible, an email will be sent at very short notice. However, if a student or parent wishes to have 10 school days notice, this needs to be indicated on the appeal form.
Date(s) of hearings
Please insert if known
Or
Lat August/September 2025.