Shirebrook Academy
Mansfield, NG20 8QF · Derbyshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
43rd 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 — 2.8/10 against 412 of them, against 1.6/10 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 | 26.1 · 9 | 46% | 0.41 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.34 · 25 | 38% | 0.94 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 38.4 · 13 | 15% | 0.20 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Shirebrook Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 31.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 39.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 in 2023/24 was -0.34, indicating pupils did worse than nationally matched peers. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.2 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Independent Learning (Homework) Club and an after-school club, and the school organises trips, including to Barcelona.
Getting in
The published school roll is 824 pupils against a stated capacity of 850. 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 support is available for students who need help with homework outside of the Independent Learning Club?
What Ofsted said about Shirebrook Academy
Overview
Shirebrook Academy has continued its rapid improvements, with staff promoting ‘a community of inspiration, excellence and opportunities for all to grow’. The school is described as ambitious for all pupils, delivering a broad, well-organised curriculum that meets their needs and interests. Most pupils enjoy their lessons, behave well, and feel safe within a calm and productive environment.
Strengths
- The curriculum is carefully structured, with teachers effectively checking understanding and addressing misconceptions promptly.
- Staff have good subject knowledge and share best practice, using consistent approaches like routine recall activities to help pupils remember learning.
- Reading is prioritised, with pupils receiving carefully crafted support and staff trained in ‘ERIC’ reading strategies to boost fluency and confidence.
- The school identifies the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) well, providing timely and expert interventions.
- Strong relationships exist between staff and pupils, who feel listened to and know who to speak to if they have concerns.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, the curriculum is not implemented consistently, meaning key knowledge is not always prioritised or clear, causing pupils to struggle with recall.
- Some pupils with SEND do not receive precise support to access the same curriculum as peers, as pedagogical approaches like ‘quality first teaching’ are not fully embedded.
- The delivery of the personal development programme is variable, resulting in patchy understanding of spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development.
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 | 39.6 |
| 2024/25 | 39.5 |
| 2025/26 | 38.4 |
| 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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