John Port Spencer Academy
Derby, DE65 6LU · Derbyshire · secondary school
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7th of 45 secondary schools in Derbyshire we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 7.4/10 against 891 of them, against 7.4/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 34% | 1.80 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 62.5 · 84 | 30% | 2.56 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.11 · 58 | 25% | 1.46 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 53.5 · 82 | 10% | 0.83 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
John Port Spencer Academy overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted, last inspected in 2022. In 2024/25, 54.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 51.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.11 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (6.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 2,034 pupils against a stated capacity of 2,070. 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 in raising their Progress 8 scores further? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Attainment 8? How does the school plan to maintain its Good rating following the 2022 inspection?
What Ofsted said about John Port Spencer Academy
Overview
Pupils value the education they receive at John Port Spencer Academy, benefiting from the dedication of staff and leaders committed to a high-quality experience. The school is well led and managed, with strong relationships between pupils and staff, and most pupils are happy and feel safe. While the quality of education and behaviour are rated as Good, the personal development curriculum requires improvement to ensure pupils are fully prepared for life in Britain.
Strengths
- The curriculum is described as ‘knowledge-rich’, enabling pupils, including sixth-form students, to ‘know more and remember more’.
- Pupils’ conduct is ‘worthy of admiration’, with students being polite, helpful, and respectful, focusing on work with ‘very little distraction’.
- Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is effective, helping all pupils build their knowledge over time.
- Leaders have prioritised careers, providing high-quality advice and guidance, alongside a wide range of clubs and activities.
- Staff workload is managed well, with leaders taking steps to reduce it and support staff well-being.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure the personal development curriculum is ‘suitably ambitious’ and fully prepares pupils for life in Britain, addressing concerns that content is not always age-appropriate or challenging.
- Leaders need to ensure all teachers use assessment effectively to identify misconceptions, preventing pupils from moving on before they have a ‘secure understanding’ of current topics.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff receiving appropriate training and designated leads knowing pupils well to ensure they receive necessary support.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 50.0 |
| 2024/25 | 51.4 |
| 2025/26 | 53.5 |
| 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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