Swanwick Hall School
Alfreton, DE55 1AE · Derbyshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
30th 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 — 4.1/10 against 496 of them, against 2.4/10 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 | 37.1 · 30 | 30% | 0.91 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.61 · 11 | 25% | 0.28 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 44.1 · 40 | 10% | 0.40 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Swanwick Hall School overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted following an inspection in 2023. In 2024/25, 41.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 42.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.61 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 (5.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.0 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join the Student Council, Anti-Bullying Ambassadors, and House System Committee, or attend a BTEC Sport Masterclass. Sports include pickleball, badminton, basketball, and athletics. Trips cover skiing, theatre visits, Spain, and a student exchange in Hefei, China. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,025 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,257. 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 Progress 8 score and the national benchmark? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Attainment 8 scores
What Ofsted said about Swanwick Hall School
Overview
The report describes a school where leaders embed core values of resilience, respect, and inclusivity, ensuring most pupils feel safe and have access to a broad curriculum. While the quality of education, personal development, and leadership are rated ‘Good’, behaviour and attitudes are judged to ‘Require improvement’ due to inconsistencies in policy implementation and attendance issues.
Strengths
- Leaders have designed a ‘broad and ambitious curriculum’ with a wide range of subjects, including a timetabled enrichment programme for younger pupils.
- The sixth-form provision is growing, with students benefiting from teachers’ subject expertise and positive relationships with mentors.
- A new assessment approach helps pupils recognise how to improve their work, with most teachers addressing misconceptions effectively.
- Governors are effective, and staff feel leaders are ‘considerate of their workload and well-being’.
- Pupils have access to extra-curricular activities and a careers programme, with sixth-form students valuing weekly mentor meetings.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure clear strategic oversight of support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), as current management is not fully embedded.
- Leaders should continue to support families to improve attendance, as some vulnerable pupils miss learning due to low attendance.
- Leaders need to ensure the new behaviour and punctuality policies are used consistently so that all pupils benefit and incidents are dealt with promptly.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff receiving regular training and clear mechanisms in place for reporting concerns.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 38.9 |
| 2024/25 | 42.6 |
| 2025/26 | 44.1 |
| 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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