Cowley Academy
Spalding, PE11 4TF · Lincolnshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
34th of 54 secondary schools in Lincolnshire 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 — 4.4/10 against 604 of them, against 3.0/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 30.8 · 17 | 46% | 0.77 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.12 · 41 | 38% | 1.58 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 44.3 · 41 | 15% | 0.63 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Cowley Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 16.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 36.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 in 2023/24 was -0.12, indicating pupils did worse than nationally similar peers. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (2.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 621 pupils against a stated capacity of 650. 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 interventions are in place for students who are behind in English and maths? How does the school monitor progress for pupils with similar backgrounds to ensure they achieve better outcomes than the national average?
What Ofsted said about Cowley Academy
Overview
Cowley Academy has undergone "significant improvements" since opening in 2022, with leaders demonstrating "Outstanding" management and a "strong moral purpose." Pupils feel safe, valued, and proud of their school, benefiting from an "ambitious and aspirational" curriculum that prepares them well for future stages.
Strengths
- Leaders "put pupils at the forefront" with a "relentless focus on continuous improvement" and effective governance.
- The curriculum is well-structured, allowing pupils to "revisit and build learning over time," with increasing access to the English Baccalaureate.
- Teachers possess "strong subject knowledge" and use assessment to "address gaps in pupils’ knowledge."
- Behaviour is positive, with a "strong culture of respect" and high expectations consistently met.
- Safeguarding arrangements are "effective," and staff well-being is prioritised.
Areas to improve
- The school must fully embed its approach to identifying and providing for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), as some currently "do not achieve as highly as they could."
- The school needs to widen the range of experiences to better "nurture and develop" pupils’ interests and talents, which are currently "rather limited."
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 | 43.0 |
| 2024/25 | 36.5 |
| 2025/26 | 44.3 |
| 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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