Lady Manners School
Bakewell, DE45 1JA · Derbyshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
3rd 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 — 8.4/10 against 886 of them, against 8.1/10 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 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 62.6 · 84 | 30% | 2.53 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.37 · 77 | 25% | 1.93 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 53.0 · 80 | 10% | 0.80 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Lady Manners School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 55.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 52.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.37 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils 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 (7.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.6 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2025.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in music groups and ensembles, and visit the Thornbridge Outdoor Pursuits Centre.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,405 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,437. 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 developing their musical skills beyond the weekly ensembles? What specific learning outcomes are targeted during the visit to the Thornbridge Outdoor Pursuits Centre? How does the school monitor progress for pupils who start below the national average?
What Ofsted said about Lady Manners School
Overview
Lady Manners School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. Pupils enjoy attending this “welcoming and caring school” where they “make excellent progress through the curriculum.” The inspection confirms that the school continues to provide a high-quality education with strong leadership and positive pupil attitudes.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate “exemplary” behaviour and have “highly positive attitudes to learning” in a “calm and orderly” environment.
- The school offers a “broad and ambitious curriculum,” with sixth-form students achieving “extremely well” in public examinations.
- Teachers possess “good subject knowledge” and use “effective questioning techniques” to deepen pupil understanding.
- Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities is accurate, ensuring they can “access the curriculum and achieve well.”
- The school’s work to promote pupils’ broader development is “exemplary,” including excellent careers advice and preparation for life in modern Britain.
Areas to improve
- The school must ensure all teachers deliver the curriculum well, specifically by checking pupils’ understanding carefully and ensuring correct spelling and punctuation.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 55.3 |
| 2024/25 | 52.2 |
| 2025/26 | 53.0 |
| 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
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 DE45 1JA, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT