Cockburn John Charles Academy
Leeds, LS10 2JU · Leeds · secondary school
Check the area around this school
25th of 45 secondary schools in Leeds we can score. 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 — 7.0/10 against 219 of them, against 4.9/10 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 | 86 | 35% | 3.03 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 33.2 · 21 | 30% | 0.62 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.47 · 83 | 25% | 2.06 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.7 · 48 | 10% | 0.48 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Cockburn John Charles Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 37.3% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 43.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.47 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 (7.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.3 out of 10 against all schools). The most recent inspection was in June 2026 under the new report-card framework.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in the School Council and play basketball. They engage with arts through the production of *Come From Away*. Trips include visits to The Deep, the Turner Prize Experience, Beamish Museum, and a battlefields trip.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,169 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,200. 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 their current attainment and the national median? What specific support is available for pupils aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How does the School Council influence decisions about the curriculum or extracurricular activities?
What Ofsted said about Cockburn John Charles Academy
Overview
Cockburn John Charles Academy is described as a "vibrant school" serving a diverse community where inclusivity is central. The report highlights that pupils make "excellent progress" from typically low starting points, supported by a tailored curriculum and "highly effective teaching." Leaders demonstrate a "detailed and insightful knowledge" of the school’s context, fostering a culture where staff feel well supported and pupils feel safe and valued.
Strengths
- Pupils make "excellent progress" from low starting points, with disadvantaged pupils catching up quickly in reading and achieving well.
- Behaviour is "excellent," with pupils displaying "kindness and courtesy" and bullying being rare.
- The curriculum is "tailored to the context" and effectively adapted for pupils with additional needs or English as an additional language.
- Leaders apply a "robust and evidence informed attendance strategy" that has resulted in a "notable and sustained reduction in persistent absence."
- Staff benefit from a "highly effective culture of professional development" and feel their wellbeing is considered.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should continue their "relentless drive to improve attendance."
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 41.6 |
| 2024/25 | 43.8 |
| 2025/26 | 45.7 |
| 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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