Swinton Academy
Mexborough, S64 8JW · Rotherham · secondary school
Check the area around this school
8th of 16 secondary schools in Rotherham 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 — 4.5/10 against 643 of them, against 3.3/10 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 | 39.5 · 36 | 30% | 1.08 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.21 · 34 | 25% | 0.85 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 40.7 · 23 | 10% | 0.23 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Swinton Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 42.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 41.1, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.21 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in September 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 870 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,130. 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 used to improve Progress 8 scores for students starting from similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about Swinton Academy
Overview
Swinton Academy is described as an inclusive school where pupils are happy, considerate, and behave well. Leaders have taken effective steps to improve the quality of education since the previous inspection, ensuring the curriculum provides high aspirations and prepares pupils well for life after school. Most pupils achieve well, though consistency across all subjects is still being addressed.
Strengths
- Pupils enjoy "well-planned lessons" and have "warm relationships with teachers," which one sixth-form student cited as the reason for studying there.
- The provision for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is a strength, with staff identifying needs quickly to ensure equal access to the curriculum.
- Reading is prioritised through the ‘ERIC’ strategy, providing comprehensive support and effective progress tracking for early readers.
- Sixth-form students benefit from a "strong programme of personal development" and feel part of a "close knit family."
- Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with a "well-established culture" and staff who are trained to recognise risks.
Areas to improve
- Curriculum delivery must help pupils connect current learning with previous knowledge to develop a "deep body of knowledge" rather than just recalling facts.
- Assessment in key stage 3 needs to be closely matched to the curriculum to provide clarity on pupil progress.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective," noting that leaders keep detailed records, deal with concerns quickly, and educate pupils about local risks.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 39.6 |
| 2024/25 | 41.1 |
| 2025/26 | 40.7 |
| 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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