City of Peterborough Academy
Peterborough, PE1 5LQ · Peterborough · secondary school
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7th of 13 secondary schools in Peterborough we can score, 15 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 6.4/10 against 363 of them, against 4.1/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 33.7 · 22 | 30% | 0.66 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.25 · 69 | 25% | 1.72 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 42.2 · 30 | 10% | 0.30 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
City of Peterborough Academy overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in 2024. In 2024/25, 31.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 39.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.25 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Science Club, Arts and Crafts, Music and Band Practices, Poetry Masterclasses, and Additional Languages support. Sports include Football, Netball, Basketball, Rounders, Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, and Fitness. Arts and music activities feature Dance and Gelli Print Workshop, while trips include the Playmaking festival and National Playmakers festival.
Getting in
The published school roll is 853 pupils against a stated capacity of 900. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between the current Attainment 8 score and the national median? What specific support is available for pupils who need extra help in English and maths? How are
What Ofsted said about City of Peterborough Academy
Overview
City of Peterborough Academy has improved significantly since its previous inspection, with the report stating the school “no longer requires significant improvement.” Pupils are described as “happy in school” within a culture where “respectful interactions have become the norm,” leading to high-quality work and strong examination results. The school fosters a “deep sense of tolerance and respect” and a strong community spirit.
Strengths
- Pupils are “resilient” and “work hard,” producing “high-quality work” and achieving well in examinations.
- The curriculum is “ambitious for all pupils,” with subject specialists breaking knowledge into “small, logically ordered pieces” to support understanding.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are “well supported” through detailed plans that help them “progress through the curriculum alongside their peers.”
- Staff feel “respected” and their workload is “carefully considered,” while trustees are “well informed” by the trust executive team.
- Personal social and health education and careers programmes help pupils make “well-informed decisions” about their future.
Areas to improve
- Teachers must “routinely check pupils’ understanding and adapt their teaching” so pupils can move on to deeper learning when ready, as some currently spend too long on basic concepts.
- The school must continue to build a positive culture where all are respected, as a small number of pupils still use “inappropriate and offensive” language, including homophobic or racially motivated remarks.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 41.2 |
| 2024/25 | 39.3 |
| 2025/26 | 42.2 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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