Glossopdale School and Sixth Form
Glossop, SK13 2DA · Derbyshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
21st of 45 secondary schools in Derbyshire 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 — 5.7/10 against 780 of them, against 4.5/10 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 | 0.14 · 60 | 25% | 1.50 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 43.6 · 37 | 10% | 0.37 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Glossopdale School and Sixth Form overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 35.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 43.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.14 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in 2023-12.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh Award, boardgames, science, robotics, cooking, dance, Maths Challenge, and Technology Tournament clubs. Sports include football, netball, and athletics, while arts offer music ensembles, drama, and High School Musical. Trips go to London, France, Auschwitz, and Kenya. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,162 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,440. 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 Attainment 8 and the national median? What specific support is available for students aiming for the Duke of Edinburgh Award? How does the after-school club integrate with the
What Ofsted said about Glossopdale School and Sixth Form
Overview
The inspection found that the school provides a good quality education with high expectations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Leaders have created a positive environment where most pupils feel safe, demonstrate tenacity, and benefit from an ambitious curriculum designed to build complex subject knowledge over time.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "ambitious" and carefully designed, with opportunities for pupils to revisit prior learning and develop subject-specific vocabulary.
- Teachers possess "secure subject knowledge" and model thinking effectively, while assessment systems help check understanding over time.
- Pupils develop positive relationships with staff, feel safe, and benefit from wider opportunities such as volunteering, sports clubs, and leadership roles.
- Significant improvements have been made to provision for pupils with SEND, resulting in "more robust processes" and personalised support strategies.
- Staff workload is manageable due to adjustments in marking policy, and they enjoy regular opportunities for professional development.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, teachers do not "rigorously check pupils’ understanding," leading to gaps in knowledge before moving learning on.
- Strategies to help pupils recall previous learning are not consistently effective across all subjects, causing some pupils to struggle with retention.
- Some vulnerable pupils are "persistently absent," preventing them from accessing the good quality education provided.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 42.8 |
| 2024/25 | 43.4 |
| 2025/26 | 43.6 |
| 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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