The Dukeries Academy
Newark, NG22 9TD · Nottinghamshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
43rd of 45 secondary schools in Nottinghamshire 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 — 1.9/10 against 481 of them, against 1.2/10 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 | 13 | 35% | 0.44 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 14.5 · 1 | 30% | 0.03 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.28 · 29 | 25% | 0.72 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 32.6 · 3 | 10% | 0.03 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Dukeries Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 21.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 34.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.28 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, 1.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in March 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 709 pupils against a stated capacity of 750. 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 8 and the national median? What specific steps are taken to improve Progress 8 scores for students entering from similar backgrounds? How does the new Ofsted report-card framework influence current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about The Dukeries Academy
Overview
The report describes a school where leaders are making "decisive action" to improve attendance and behaviour, resulting in a "generally calm and orderly" environment. While safeguarding standards are met and the curriculum is ambitious, examination results remain "well below national averages" with inconsistent teaching implementation.
Strengths
- Safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed".
- Behaviour has improved, with "well‑established routines" and positive staff-pupil relationships underpinning a "respectful classroom climate".
- The curriculum is "ambitious" and "generally sequenced well", enabling pupils to build knowledge across year groups.
- Leaders demonstrate "sustained determination" to remove barriers, supported by effective trust oversight and a focus on staff wellbeing.
- Personal development is "thoughtfully embedded", with enrichment opportunities and a pastoral system that helps pupils feel "safe, known and supported".
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure shared expectations for teaching are "fully embedded" so pupils experience "consistently effective instruction".
- Strategies to support "secure foundation knowledge" need sharpening to rapidly narrow attainment gaps, as results remain low.
- Attendance strategies require refinement to ensure improvement is "more consistent, particularly for vulnerable pupils".
Safeguarding
The report states that "safeguarding standards are met," noting that leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils are made safer.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 39.3 |
| 2024/25 | 34.8 |
| 2025/26 | 32.6 |
| 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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