Dixons Ashton Academy
Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 8RF · Tameside · secondary school
Check the area around this school
13th of 16 secondary schools in Tameside 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 — 2.4/10 against 298 of them, against 1.2/10 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 | 27.1 · 10 | 46% | 0.47 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.56 · 13 | 38% | 0.51 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 37.7 · 11 | 15% | 0.17 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Dixons Ashton Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 29.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 38.1, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.56 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than nationally matched peers. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (3.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,326 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,350. 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
With Progress 8 below 0, how does the school support pupils who are falling behind in core subjects? How does the curriculum prepare students for the specific challenges of the local job market? What are the current entry criteria for the next academic year?
What Ofsted said about Dixons Ashton Academy
Overview
Great Academy Ashton is described as a “welcoming school” where pupils build “positive, trusting relationships” and feel “safe and happy.” While behaviour, personal development, and leadership are rated as Good, the quality of education requires improvement because curriculum design and teaching consistency do not yet help all pupils achieve their potential.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from a “well-organised, calm environment” and receive a “positive start to the day” during registration.
- Teachers in many subjects possess “strong subject knowledge” and use strategies that help pupils “learn and remember the curriculum.”
- The school has implemented an “ambitious reading strategy,” including a new library and daily vocabulary development.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are “well supported” through careful identification and effective teacher guidance.
- Staff morale is high, with a “strong team ethos” where everyone feels valued and workload is considered.
Areas to improve
- The school must ensure all teachers use agreed methods to help pupils “recall and consolidate their learning” so prior knowledge is secure.
- Teachers need to use assessment strategies effectively to check understanding, ensuring “misconceptions are not identified and addressed.”
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 | 36.0 |
| 2024/25 | 38.1 |
| 2025/26 | 37.7 |
| 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 National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of OL6 8RF, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT