Water Leys Primary School, Wigston
Water Leys Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 4 to 11 in Wigston. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in September 2018. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in April 2024 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 6th-highest of the 9 schools in Wigston with published results, and 9,396th of 14,452 across England. It was 95% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- In line with England
- Ofsted
- Good (2018)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 80 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Leicestershire (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
Water Leys Primary School in detail
Water Leys Primary School in its own words
Coming up: an open day on Saturday 14 November 2026, an open day on Friday 27 November 2026 and an open day on Tuesday 1 December 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.
All school open days in Leicestershire
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 69% of Year 6 pupils at Water Leys Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 76% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 78% and 77% in Leicestershire and 77% and 75% across England.
Results fell from 78% in reading and 85% in maths in 2024.
Getting a place at Water Leys Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 45 families put Water Leys Primary School as their first choice and 101 named it as one of their preferences, for 48 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at Water Leys Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Water Leys Primary School are Fairfield Community Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 61% reading, 71% maths); Overdale Infant School (0.7 miles, Requires improvement); Holy Cross Catholic School, a Voluntary Academy (0.7 miles, Good, 55% reading, 55% maths); and All Saints Church of England Primary School (0.7 miles, Requires improvement, 65% reading, 58% maths).
Water Leys Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 3 of them.
Fairfield Community Primary SchoolOverdale Infant SchoolHoly Cross Catholic School, a Voluntary AcademyAll Saints Church of England Primary School
Who goes there
16.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 28.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (49%), Asian (33%) and Mixed (7%).
Getting there
The nearest railway station is South Wigston Rail Station, about 1 mile away in a straight line.
8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is West Avenue (opposite), 260 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 263 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Leicestershire (58), as is usual near a town centre.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Water Leys Primary School issued 2 suspensions, 0.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to Water Leys Primary School are Tudor Grange Samworth Academy, A church of England School (0.8 miles); Wigston Academy (0.8 miles); Wigston College (0.8 miles); and Lancaster Academy (0.9 miles).
Tudor Grange Samworth Academy, A church of England SchoolWigston AcademyWigston CollegeLancaster Academy
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Location
Every family who put it first was offered a place for 2026 entry, so distance did not limit places that year.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 3 years agoThis judgement is from September 2018, 8 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: The school remains Good.
Ofsted's report, in its own words
What is it like to attend this school?
Water Leys Primary School is a nurturing and inclusive school. Pupils are happy, polite and well mannered. Pupils feel safe and cared for. The 'CARE' charter sits at the heart of everything. One pupil shared, 'We have a 'CARE' charter; these are the values that we live by.' Others shared, 'The teachers are the best thing about this school. They always help you. They show you how to do something so that you can then learn to do it by yourself'.
The curriculum is ambitious. The school has high expectations of all pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, to achieve well and commit to their studies. In lessons, pupils show high levels of engagement and an eagerness to do well. Pupils show pride in their own achievements and in the achievements of others. They are supportive of each other and celebrate each other's successes.
What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?
Children get off to a secure start in the Reception Year. Staff have high expectations of the children. Children independently follow instructions and engage with learning for sustained periods of time. They have the opportunity to explore and learn through play. The provision has clearly defined areas and is well equipped. There are opportunities for children to independently practise their writing and early mathematics skills across the provision. Children are well prepared for key stage 1.
There is a strong reading culture at the school. Staff are well trained to deliver the phonics programme. They regularly check how well pupils remember the sounds that have been taught. Pupils who need additional help benefit from extra phonics sessions. This helps to make sure that all pupils keep up with the programme. As a result, pupils learn to decode and become fluent readers. Pupils enjoy reading and can talk about their favourite books. Whole class reading sessions and 'reading for pleasure' sessions promote a love of reading. Pupils are exposed to a wide range of high-quality texts and genres.
From Ofsted's April 2024 ungraded inspection report: the opening paragraphs of each section, quoted word for word. Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Good at its September 2018 inspection - up from Requires Improvement.
Rated Good for
Leadership & management.
At a Glance
16.2%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 78% to 69% (2024 to 2025). Maths has declined from 85% to 76% (2024 to 2025). Writing has remained stable at around 69% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
28.9
Avg class size
25.8
Infant (KS1)
31.5
KS2
11
Total classes
5 classes with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Latest from Water Leys Primary School
Newsletter 10th July 2026
10 Jul 2026
Newsletter 3rd July 2026
3 Jul 2026
Newsletter 26th June 2026
26 Jun 2026
Newsletter 12th June 2026
12 Jun 2026
Newsletter 22nd May 2026
22 May 2026
Newsletter 8th May 2026
8 May 2026
From Water Leys Primary School's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Keep up with Water Leys Primary School
Before and after school care
Water Leys Primary School is on the Department for Education's free breakfast clubs programme (list updated July 2026), which pays for a free breakfast club for pupils before school. Source: Free breakfast clubs: schools on the programme, Department for Education Free breakfast clubs in Leicestershire
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near Water Leys Primary School.
- Premier Education at Holy Cross810m away · Not yet graded
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Water Leys Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Water Leys Primary School is in Leicestershire; for families living there:
- Leicestershire's school travel policy: Mainstream School Transport for 5 to 16 year olds
- How to apply: Request for school transport on medical grounds form PDF, 359.48 KB Opens new window
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 14
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 3
- Children hurt
- 1
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 14 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 3 serious and 11 slight.
1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on foot.
4 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 Leicestershire is 3 (the median across 329 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
Your chances of a place at Water Leys Primary School
Will you get a place at Water Leys Primary School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Water Leys Primary School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Water Leys Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Water Leys Primary School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Leicestershire, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Water Leys Primary School for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Leicestershire got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
95%
Near capacity
399 pupils
420 places
21 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Wigston
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Wigston
Across Leicestershire council
Places available
8,574
Applications
6,827
Got 1st preference
94.0%
Got preferred school
99.3%
All primary applications across Leicestershire council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(7)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
48
SEN Support
15
EHC Plans
15.7%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
402
Total Pupils
215
Boys
187
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
21
Teachers
19.1:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£49,601
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£5,171
Per pupil
£2273k
Total funding
£102k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
5.4%
Overall absence
15.3%
Persistent absence
359
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Questions parents ask about Water Leys Primary School
What are SATs results like at Water Leys Primary School?
Of the pupils at Water Leys Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 69% reached the expected standard in reading and 76% did so in maths.
What is Water Leys Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Water Leys Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in April 2024, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in September 2018, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Water Leys Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When Water Leys Primary School is oversubscribed, Leicestershire allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Water Leys Primary School?
Water Leys Primary School was close to full in 2025, at 95% of its capacity.
How big are the classes at Water Leys Primary School?
Classes at Water Leys Primary School average 28.9 pupils (2025/26). 5 classes have more than 30 pupils - infant classes are capped at 30 by law, with limited exceptions.
How many pupils go to Water Leys Primary School?
Water Leys Primary School has around 402 pupils on roll. 16% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Water Leys Primary School?
5.4% of sessions were missed at Water Leys Primary School in 2024/25. 15.3% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Water Leys Primary School?
Apply through Leicestershire's coordinated admissions process, naming Water Leys Primary School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
Does Water Leys Primary School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Water Leys Primary School is on the Department for Education's free breakfast clubs programme (list updated July 2026), which pays for a free breakfast club for pupils before school. Ofsted's childcare register lists an out-of-school club within a kilometre of Water Leys Primary School: Premier Education at Holy Cross (810m away, registered, not yet graded).
How many road collisions happen near Water Leys Primary School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 14 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 3 serious and 11 slight. 1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on foot. 4 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 Leicestershire is 3 (the median across 329 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Water Leys Primary School?
Water Leys Primary School is at Guilford Drive, Wigston, Leicestershire, LE18 1HG.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)