The Pingle Academy
Swadlincote, DE11 0QA · Derbyshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
34th of 45 secondary schools in Derbyshire 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 — 5.8/10 against 648 of them, against 4.2/10 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 | 2 | 35% | 0.08 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 43.1 · 45 | 30% | 1.35 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.11 · 42 | 25% | 1.04 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 43.4 · 36 | 10% | 0.36 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Pingle Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 37.1% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 39.2, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.11 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, 3.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in February 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,363 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,376. 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 from similar backgrounds? How does the new Ofsted framework affect the current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about The Pingle Academy
Overview
The report describes a school where leaders have established a culture prioritising personal development and pastoral care, resulting in an inclusive community where pupils feel safe. However, teaching quality in the mainstream provision is inconsistent, and governance oversight is not yet robust enough to secure swift improvements in academic outcomes and behaviour.
Strengths
- Personal development is "well considered," with pupils engaging respectfully with different faiths and valuing the school as an "inclusive community."
- A "broad, ambitious and inclusive enrichment offer" includes clubs, trips, and leadership roles, with disadvantaged pupils encouraged to participate fully.
- Pastoral care is "well structured and inclusive," providing dedicated support for young carers and effective careers education for all pupils.
- The specially resourced unit for pupils with SEND is a "strength," offering a structured environment where pupils are "very well prepared for their next steps."
- Sixth-form students enjoy a "strong sense of community" and receive comprehensive careers guidance, with high progression rates to further education or employment.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must embed "consistent, high-quality teaching" to reduce underachievement, particularly for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND in the mainstream.
- Staff need expertise to adapt teaching effectively, ensuring SEND pupils in mainstream classes have "clear targets and specific, precise strategies" to access the curriculum.
- Governors and trustees should strengthen oversight to "rigorously monitor improvement actions" and ensure the behaviour policy is implemented consistently by all staff.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an open culture where concerns are actively identified and managed, ensuring pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 42.3 |
| 2024/25 | 39.2 |
| 2025/26 | 43.4 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of DE11 0QA, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT