Noel-Baker Academy
Derby, DE24 0BR · Derby · secondary school
Check the area around this school
13th of 16 secondary schools in Derby 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 — 1.7/10 against 363 of them, against 0.8/10 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 | 33% | 1.75 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 27.9 · 12 | 31% | 0.36 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.84 · 5 | 26% | 0.13 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 35.2 · 6 | 10% | 0.06 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Noel-Baker Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 29.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 36.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.84 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 (2.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in April 2022.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Cooking Club and Duke of Edinburgh Award, swim, and participate in the School Drama Production and School Show. Trips include skiing in Austria, visiting Le Havre, Jamie’s Farm, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, PGL adventures, Cardiff Millennium Stadium, Cadburys World, and Hornsea. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,230 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,400. 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 from similar backgrounds? How does the after-school club integrate
What Ofsted said about Noel-Baker Academy
Overview
The report describes Noel-Baker Academy as a "transformed" school where pupils are "proud to attend" and speak enthusiastically about positive changes. Inspectors note that "pupils’ attitudes and behaviour have changed and are much improved," with conduct described as "exemplary." The school has moved significantly from its previous inadequate rating, fostering a culture where pupils "thrive" and feel "safe and happy."
Strengths
- Leaders have built a "highly ambitious curriculum" driven by a "clear, moral purpose" to address disadvantage and prepare pupils for adult life.
- Pupils’ behaviour is "exemplary," with high expectations set by staff that pupils "live up to," ensuring learning is not disrupted.
- Teachers are "subject experts" who effectively deliver the curriculum, helping pupils make links between subjects and kindling a "love of reading."
- The school provides effective support for vulnerable pupils, including a "high-quality bespoke curriculum" in the ACE provision, leading to dramatically reduced exclusions.
- Safeguarding arrangements are "effective," with a "skilled and highly effective" pastoral team ensuring every pupil has a "trusted adult."
Areas to improve
- The curriculum is "inconsistently implemented" in a few subjects, meaning pupils "do not learn as well as they could" in those areas.
- Some pupils, particularly disadvantaged boys, "do not attend school regularly enough," missing out on the school’s opportunities.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective," noting that staff are knowledgeable, respond swiftly to issues, and that pupils feel safe from discrimination.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 35.2 |
| 2024/25 | 36.3 |
| 2025/26 | 35.2 |
| 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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