The Gainsborough Academy
Gainsborough, DN21 1PB · Lincolnshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
50th of 54 secondary schools in Lincolnshire 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 — 1.1/10 against 208 of them, against 0.4/10 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 | 5 | 35% | 0.19 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 20.8 · 4 | 30% | 0.12 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.81 · 6 | 25% | 0.14 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 33.1 · 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 Gainsborough Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 24.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 38.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.81 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 (2.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.8 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Requires improvement in September 2024.
Beyond the classroom
The school offers after-school art clubs and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 767 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,200. 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 actions are being taken to address the "Requires improvement" rating?
What Ofsted said about The Gainsborough Academy
Overview
The report states that the school is improving, with raised expectations helping to change the culture and pupils’ attendance and behaviour getting better. However, it notes that there is still more work to do, as some pupils miss important learning and struggle to conduct themselves consistently well. Leaders have an ambitious vision, but not all stakeholders understand why changes are necessary.
Strengths
- The planned curriculum provides a clear structure, with careful thought given to how new knowledge links to previous learning.
- Reading is given high priority, with extra help provided so pupils become confident and fluent readers.
- Most pupils feel safe, show respect to staff and peers, and benefit from opportunities to celebrate successes.
- Safeguarding arrangements are effective, and the school actively involves the local community.
Areas to improve
- Curriculum implementation is inconsistent; teachers’ questions are sometimes superficial, and pupils do not always achieve as well as they should.
- Expectations for what pupils can achieve are not always high enough, leaving some pupils insufficiently challenged.
- Suspensions and exclusions remain too high, particularly for vulnerable pupils, and persistent absence is still an issue.
- Some pupils lack confidence and resilience, and not enough is done to develop their character.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 29.1 |
| 2024/25 | 38.0 |
| 2025/26 | 33.1 |
| 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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