Dixons Cottingley Academy
Bingley, BD16 1TZ · Bradford · secondary school
Check the area around this school
9th of 35 secondary schools in Bradford 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 — 7.8/10 against 572 of them, against 5.9/10 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 | 40.5 · 39 | 30% | 1.16 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.65 · 89 | 25% | 2.23 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 44.5 · 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.
Dixons Cottingley Academy overview
How it's doing
Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2023. In 2024/25, 46.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 46.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.65 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.0 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 861 pupils against a stated capacity of 900. 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 maintain the progress seen in the 2023/24 data? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their English and maths attainment? How does the school manage class sizes with 39 places currently available?
What Ofsted said about Dixons Cottingley Academy
Overview
Leaders have high aspirations for pupils, who receive a "strong academic curriculum" and benefit from a climate of "high expectations". The school has secured significantly improved behaviour, with suspension levels reduced, though rates remain high for some groups. Inspectors found that the school provides a broad range of extra-curricular activities and effective safeguarding arrangements.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "strong" and carefully planned, with the EBacc suite at its centre and equal access for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Teachers have "good knowledge of their subjects" and use consistent routines, such as quizzing pupils during transitions, to help them recall previous learning.
- Leaders emphasise reading, providing a "well resourced" library and regular opportunities for pupils to read for pleasure.
- Safeguarding arrangements are "effective", with staff well trained and tenacious in working with external agencies to support vulnerable pupils.
- Pupils behave well, are "polite and respectful", and move calmly around the building following clear routines.
Areas to improve
- Teachers show inconsistency in using assessment information to adapt teaching, leading to unaddressed misconceptions and gaps in understanding.
- Suspension rates remain "too high", particularly for vulnerable pupils and those with SEND, causing them to miss valuable learning time.
- In some cases, precise gaps in pupils’ phonics knowledge are not identified, hindering progress for early readers.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective" and that pupils "feel safe and are confident to raise concerns with a member of staff".
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 50.1 |
| 2024/25 | 46.7 |
| 2025/26 | 44.5 |
| 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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