MEPA ACADEMY, MAIDSTONE
MEPA ACADEMY is an independent school for pupils aged 11 to 16 in Maidstone. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in September 2025.
- Ofsted
- Good (2025)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
MEPA ACADEMY in detail
MEPA ACADEMY in its own words
In its own words: "At MEPA Academy we are committed to delivering a diverse and high standard of education both academically and vocationally. We aim for the young people in our care to be prepared for life in an industry that can be competitive and fulfilling."
Vision and values (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for MEPA ACADEMY can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other independent schools to MEPA ACADEMY are St Helens Montessori School (2.6 miles, Outstanding); OneSchool Global UK - Maidstone Campus (3.1 miles); and Sutton Valence School (5.2 miles).
St Helens Montessori SchoolOneSchool Global UK - Maidstone CampusSutton Valence School
Who goes there
In 2026, 13 pupils (54.2%) received SEN support and 1 (4.2%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Maidstone East Rail Station, about 330 metres away (roughly a 4-minute walk).
23 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Pudding Lane, 60 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood MEPA ACADEMY stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 568 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Kent (101), as is usual near a town centre.
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Safeguarding: effective
Independent school standards
Met all the independent school standards.
- Part 1: quality of educationMet
- Part 2: pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural developmentMet
- Part 3: welfare, health and safetyMet
- Part 4: suitability of staff and proprietorsMet
- Part 5: premises and accommodationMet
- Part 6: information for parentsMet
- Part 7: handling of complaintsMet
- Part 8: leadership and managementMet
Source: Ofsted, non-association independent schools inspections and outcomes (Open Government Licence)
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's September 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
MEPA Academy creates a welcoming, inclusive environment where pupils thrive both academically and in the performing arts. Staff know their students well and hold high expectations, which pupils readily meet. The school offers an amazing array of opportunities beyond the curriculum, including enrichment activities like fundraising for local charities, competitions, and performance opportunities both locally and internationally.
Key Strengths
- Exceptional pupil behaviour and attitudes, with warm, respectful relationships between students and staff -
- Outstanding personal development with extensive extra-curricular performing arts classes including dance, acro and theatre -
- Ambitious curriculum balancing academic and vocational learning with clear progression of knowledge and skills -
- Strong staff expertise and well-qualified teachers, including industry guest teachers -
- Effective support for pupil attendance and engagement, particularly for vulnerable students
Areas for Improvement
- Assessment practices need to be more consistent and sharp across the school to identify pupil misconceptions earlier -
- Teachers should use assessment information more systematically to adapt teaching and set precise next steps -
- Adaptations for pupils with SEND could be more precise in some cases to help them access their work more readily
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective and the school has created an open, positive culture that puts pupils' interests first.
Extracurricular Activities
Dance classes, acro classes, theatre classes, competitions and performances, fundraising for local charities, career exploration opportunities
MEPA Academy is a performing arts school for ages 11-16 that has been rated Good overall. Pupils are happy, behave exceptionally well, and benefit from an ambitious curriculum combining academic and vocational studies with extensive performing arts opportunities.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Keep up with MEPA ACADEMY
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 113
- Fatal
- 1
- Serious
- 24
- Children hurt
- 7
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 113 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 24 serious and 88 slight.
7 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 4 in a vehicle or otherwise.
17 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Kent is 11 (the median across 711 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
48%
Available places
24 pupils
50 places
26 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Across Kent council
Places available
19,539
Applications
18,644
Got 1st preference
78.9%
Got preferred school
96.2%
All secondary applications across Kent council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(4)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
13
SEN Support
1
EHC Plans
58.3%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
24
Total Pupils
3
Boys
21
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
MEPA ACADEMY
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Questions parents ask about MEPA ACADEMY
What are GCSE results like at MEPA ACADEMY?
The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for MEPA ACADEMY can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.
What is MEPA ACADEMY's Ofsted rating?
MEPA ACADEMY was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection in September 2025.
Does MEPA ACADEMY meet the independent school standards?
At its most recent standard inspection, in September 2025, MEPA ACADEMY met all the independent school standards.
How many pupils go to MEPA ACADEMY?
MEPA ACADEMY has around 24 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to MEPA ACADEMY?
MEPA ACADEMY is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
How many road collisions happen near MEPA ACADEMY?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 113 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 24 serious and 88 slight. 7 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 4 in a vehicle or otherwise. 17 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Kent is 11 (the median across 711 schools, same distance and years).
Where is MEPA ACADEMY?
MEPA ACADEMY is at 27 & 29 EARL STREET, MAIDSTONE, MAIDSTONE, ME14 1PF.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)