Discovery Academy
Stoke-on-Trent, ST2 0GA · Stoke-on-Trent · secondary school
Check the area around this school
13th of 14 secondary schools in Stoke-on-Trent 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 — 1.5/10 against 298 of them, against 0.7/10 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 | 5 | 35% | 0.19 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 22.1 · 5 | 30% | 0.16 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.65 · 10 | 25% | 0.25 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 33.5 · 4 | 10% | 0.04 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Discovery Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 28.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 37.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.65 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (2.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.2 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Requires improvement in May 2024.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,435 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,500. 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 8 score and the national median? What specific actions are being taken to address the 'Requires improvement' rating from the 2024 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Discovery Academy
Overview
Discovery Academy is described as a “very inclusive school” where pupils feel safe and valued, with “warm and respectful” relationships between staff and students. While behaviour and personal development are rated as good, the overall quality of education requires improvement due to inconsistencies in curriculum delivery and assessment practices.
Strengths
- Pupils enjoy attending the school and have “absolute confidence that staff are there to help and support them.”
- Behaviour has improved significantly, with “rapidly declining numbers of suspensions and permanent exclusions.”
- A “well-designed reading programme” ensures pupils make rapid progress, with those needing help quickly identified and supported.
- Personal development is a high priority, featuring a “universal character development programme” that broadens pupils’ social and cultural experiences.
- Leaders and governors provide an “effective balance of support and challenge,” with staff feeling well supported and valued.
Areas to improve
- Assessment information is not consistently used to provide accurate feedback, meaning some pupils, including those with SEND, do not make the progress they should.
- In some subjects, teachers lack the confidence to use strategies that foster pupil independence, limiting students’ ability to apply learning without direct instruction.
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 | 36.3 |
| 2024/25 | 37.4 |
| 2025/26 | 33.5 |
| 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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