Derby Moor Spencer Academy
Derby, DE23 2FS · Derby · secondary school
Check the area around this school
6th of 16 secondary schools in Derby 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 — 6.5/10 against 481 of them, against 4.4/10 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 | 34% | 1.80 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 41.3 · 41 | 30% | 1.23 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.06 · 46 | 25% | 1.15 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.7 · 48 | 10% | 0.49 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Derby Moor Spencer Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 47.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 47.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.06 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than those nationally starting from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2022. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Student Leadership, and Volunteering clubs, as well as dance and whole school productions.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,740 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,575. 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 manage class sizes given the current over-capacity status? What specific support is available for pupils who are behind in English and maths? How does the leadership team maintain the Good Ofsted rating following the 2022 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Derby Moor Spencer Academy
Overview
Derby Moor Spencer Academy continues to be a good school, described as “diverse and inclusive” with a strong “community feel.” Pupils feel safe and happy, benefiting from high attendance and a curriculum that is “broad and ambitious” for all.
Strengths
- The curriculum is well-designed, with leaders weaving “employability” into many aspects to prepare pupils for future success.
- Teachers possess “good subject knowledge” and use clear structures, such as ‘KAS’ and ‘WIN’ sheets, to help pupils retain important knowledge.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are “very well supported” through tools like ‘pupil passports’ and small-step targets.
- Sixth form students benefit from “demanding teaching” and gain a “good grasp of challenging topics.”
- The school maintains a “calm and orderly environment” with a behaviour system that is “well understood and used consistently.”
Areas to improve
- In a small number of subjects, activities do not “precisely match” the curriculum and are sometimes “not demanding enough,” preventing pupils from gaining the necessary depth of knowledge.
- Leaders should ensure all teachers know how to match activities to intended learning so pupils “learn as much as they could.”
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff remaining vigilant and reporting all incidents, no matter how big or small.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 44.1 |
| 2024/25 | 47.7 |
| 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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