Desborough College
Maidenhead, SL6 2QB · Windsor and Maidenhead · secondary school
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6th of 10 secondary schools in Windsor and Maidenhead we can score, 14 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 the 886 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.9/10 among them, against 3.8/10 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 | 39.6 · 36 | 30% | 1.09 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.17 · 37 | 25% | 0.93 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 44.6 · 42 | 10% | 0.42 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Desborough College overview
How it's doing
Desborough College was rated Good by Ofsted in July 2024. In 2024/25, 53.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 45.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.17 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.2 out of 10 among them, against 5.5 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can participate in handball, rugby, football, hockey, cricket, and Sports Day.
Getting in
The published school roll is 539 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,140. 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 improve their Progress 8 scores? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their Attainment 8? How does the curriculum balance academic rigour with the wide range of sports offered?
What Ofsted said about Desborough College
Overview
Desborough College continues to be a good school, where pupils benefit from a broadened curriculum and reshaped pastoral programmes. Most pupils enjoy their learning, achieve well, and are well prepared for life beyond school through extensive careers guidance and a culture of reading.
Strengths
- Pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, achieve well in most subjects, with GCSE results in mathematics and science above national averages.
- The curriculum is well planned and delivered, with staff who "know their subjects well and teach with enthusiasm that engages pupils."
- A successful culture of reading is fostered, with library lessons in key stage 3 described as a "standout feature" enhancing fluency and comprehension.
- The personal, social, health and economic curriculum is "comprehensive and well planned," helping pupils value diversity and stay safe.
- The trust provides valuable expertise, and staff appreciate steps taken to reduce their workload.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure good practice is shared to achieve consistency in assessment and the implementation of the tutor time reading programme across the school.
- Staff must be equipped to consistently adapt teaching for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) so they can achieve their best.
- The school should continue to raise expectations of behaviour and ensure all staff implement the behaviour system effectively, particularly in cover lessons.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 44.9 |
| 2024/25 | 45.7 |
| 2025/26 | 44.6 |
| 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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