Millbay Academy
Plymouth, PL1 3EG · Plymouth · secondary school
Check the area around this school
15th of 19 secondary schools in Plymouth 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 — 2.0/10 against 219 of them, against 1.0/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 23.0 · 6 | 30% | 0.18 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.51 · 15 | 25% | 0.39 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 37.3 · 10 | 10% | 0.10 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Millbay Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 27.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 36.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.51 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in April 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (3.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.3 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 526 pupils against a stated capacity of 600. 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 strategies are in place to improve Progress 8 scores for students from similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about Millbay Academy
Overview
Millbay Academy is described as a school that has undergone a period of transformation, now offering a high-quality education where staff are "aspirational for what pupils have the potential to achieve." The report highlights a positive culture where pupils "exude kindness" and enjoy "caring, trusting relationships" with staff, contributing to a sense of safety and belonging within this culturally-diverse community.
Strengths
- The curriculum is well-planned, with teachers acting as "experts in their subjects" who are supported by professional development programmes.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are "well supported," with staff understanding their individual strategies and aspirations.
- Early years provision is a strength, with children responding positively to challenging tasks and learning to read quickly through a chosen phonics programme.
- Personal development is strong, with pupils learning about employability, online safety, and physical and mental health through rich experiences and clubs.
Areas to improve
- The school should further develop work with families to overcome barriers preventing regular attendance, as some secondary pupils miss significant learning time due to absence and suspension.
- The school should share the strongest practice across both primary and secondary phases and between curriculum areas to reduce variability in teaching quality and impact.
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 | 32.7 |
| 2024/25 | 36.9 |
| 2025/26 | 37.3 |
| 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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