Mercia Academy
Swadlincote, DE11 0TL · Derbyshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
40th 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 — 3.8/10 against 365 of them, against 2.0/10 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 | 29.2 · 14 | 46% | 0.65 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.27 · 30 | 38% | 1.14 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 38.7 · 14 | 15% | 0.22 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Mercia Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 23.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 32.6, against a national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.27 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (3.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, Art and Design clubs, and Performing Arts clubs. They play football and participate in pantomimes, musicals, and concerts. Trips include geography field trips, museums, a university visit, and a Girona football development tour.
Getting in
The published school roll is 592 pupils against a stated capacity of 750. 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 current attainment and the national median? What specific steps are taken to improve progress scores for students with similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about Mercia Academy
Overview
Mercia Academy is currently operating from temporary accommodation following the closure of its original building in 2023. The report states that the school is ensuring pupils have a "better experience of school life" through "highly effective support" from its trust, with improvements in behaviour, personal development, and leadership. However, the quality of education requires improvement because the curriculum is not delivered consistently well, meaning pupils do not progress as effectively as they should.
Strengths
- Pupils behave well, feel safe, and maintain "respectful relationships" with staff.
- The school provides a "range of opportunities" for pupils to develop talents, including performing arts clubs and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
- Reading is prioritised, with teachers regularly reading to pupils and providing "well-thought-out help" for those needing extra support.
- Attendance has "improved significantly" due to effective tracking and support for families.
- Pupils receive effective careers advice and are "well prepared for their next steps."
Areas to improve
- Teachers must explain new learning clearly and check pupils’ understanding consistently to identify and resolve gaps in knowledge.
- Teaching needs to better support pupils, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to produce high-quality work with accurate punctuation and grammar.
- The school must sustain improvements in attendance for pupils who are still missing significant amounts of learning.
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 | 38.0 |
| 2024/25 | 32.6 |
| 2025/26 | 38.7 |
| 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 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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