The Orme Academy
Newcastle, ST5 9JU · Staffordshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
36th of 56 secondary schools in Staffordshire we can score, 70 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 910 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.8/10 among them, against 2.1/10 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 | 32.0 · 18 | 30% | 0.55 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.44 · 19 | 25% | 0.47 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 42.7 · 32 | 10% | 0.32 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Orme Academy overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted following an inspection in 2024. In 2024/25, 35.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 43.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.44 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.2 out of 10 among them, against 2.6 out of 10 nationally.
Getting in
The published school roll is 768 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,161. 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 improve their Progress 8 scores? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their Attainment 8? How does the school ensure consistent teaching quality across all year groups?
What Ofsted said about The Orme Academy
Overview
The Orme Academy is judged as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories, marking significant improvement from its previous ‘Requires improvement’ rating. The report describes a school with a ‘purposeful atmosphere’ where staff and pupils share high aspirations, though it notes that these ambitions have ‘not yet been fully achieved’ in terms of end-of-key-stage outcomes.
Strengths
- Relationships between pupils and staff are described as ‘warm and respectful’, with pupils feeling safe and knowing who to approach with concerns.
- The school has developed a ‘highly ambitious and well-sequenced curriculum’, supported by effective strategies for pupils with special educational needs and those lacking reading confidence.
- Personal development is a strong focus, with pupils engaging enthusiastically in leadership roles, charity work, and a comprehensive careers programme.
- Leaders provide ‘bespoke, targeted and rapid support’, ensuring staff feel well-supported and consulted, while carefully managing workload.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, teachers do not consistently check pupils’ understanding, meaning ‘gaps in pupils’ knowledge are not identified and addressed well enough’, which limits progress.
- ‘Too many pupils miss school unnecessarily’, preventing them from achieving their full potential; the school must continue working with parents and agencies to secure regular attendance.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 41.2 |
| 2024/25 | 43.8 |
| 2025/26 | 42.7 |
| 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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