The Dorcan Academy
Swindon, SN3 5DA · Swindon · secondary school
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10th of 14 secondary schools in Swindon we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 3.3/10 against 808 of them, against 3.0/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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% | 1.82 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 39.3 · 36 | 30% | 1.07 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.39 · 21 | 25% | 0.54 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 43.2 · 35 | 10% | 0.35 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Dorcan Academy overview
How it's doing
The school was rated Good by Ofsted in 2022. In 2024/25, 44.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 44.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.39 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 (4.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.9 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join Coding, STEM, Media, and Performing Arts clubs, play rugby, basketball, and cricket, and attend theatre trips and residential visits to France, Austria, and the USA. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 881 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,234. 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 shown in the Progress 8 score? What specific support is available for students aiming for higher grades in English and maths?
What Ofsted said about The Dorcan Academy
Overview
The Dorcan Academy is described as a place where pupils feel safe and welcome, supported by staff with whom they share warm relationships. Leaders maintain high aspirations through an ambitious curriculum and a positive environment, resulting in a "calm and purposeful atmosphere" that allows pupils to focus on learning. The report highlights that most pupils are kind, respectful, and resilient, with behaviour in lessons and around the school rated as good.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "ambitious and broad," with most pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) studying the full curriculum and attending mainstream lessons.
- Teachers possess good subject knowledge, provide clear explanations, and teach pupils the vocabulary needed to succeed, ensuring activities are well matched to their abilities.
- Reading is prioritised, with pupils reading widely and often; books chosen support other curriculum aspects and promote reading for pleasure.
- The personal development curriculum is strong, particularly in key stage three, helping pupils value staying safe, maintaining health, and understanding different beliefs and lifestyles.
- The careers programme raises aspirations, meeting requirements to provide information about technical education qualifications and apprenticeships.
Areas to improve
- Leaders need to build the confidence of parents and pupils that their concerns are acted on, as some are not confident that all raised concerns are dealt with effectively.
- Leaders must ensure that support given meets the needs of all pupils with SEND, as some do not always receive effective support and consequently do not make as much progress as they could.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff confident in reporting concerns and leaders taking prompt action to secure help for those who need it.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 38.2 |
| 2024/25 | 44.3 |
| 2025/26 | 43.2 |
| 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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