Thomas Clarkson Academy
Wisbech, PE13 2SE · Cambridgeshire · secondary school
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29th of 34 secondary schools in Cambridgeshire we can score, 35 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 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 4.0/10 against 464 of them, against 2.3/10 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 | 31.9 · 18 | 30% | 0.54 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.23 · 32 | 25% | 0.81 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 38.3 · 13 | 10% | 0.13 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Thomas Clarkson Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 28.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 37.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.23 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than nationally matched peers. Ofsted rated the school Good in March 2025. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (3.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.1 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join clubs including Sewing, Drawing from life, Chess, Puzzles, Spanish, Earth Ambassadors, Goblins Den, Drama, Music, Cheerleading, Dance, and Guitar. Sports options include Basketball, Netball, Girls Football, Football, Dodgeball, Badminton, Rugby, and Disco Fitness. The school offers an after-school club and runs Challenges Abroad trips.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,295 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,440. 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 steps are taken to improve Progress 8 scores for students from similar backgrounds? How
What Ofsted said about Thomas Clarkson Academy
Overview
Thomas Clarkson Academy has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. The school fosters a "warm, inclusive environment" where pupils feel valued and proud, supported by a stable staff of subject experts. Despite a decline in published outcomes in 2024, current teaching quality is high, and pupils are producing work of a generally high standard.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from a "culture based on strong bonds of trust and mutual respect" and appreciate the genuine interest adults have in them.
- The curriculum "clearly defines what pupils should learn and when," preparing pupils, including those with SEND, well for their next steps.
- Teachers possess "strong subject knowledge," delivering high-quality teaching with "exact and easy to follow" explanations, particularly benefiting sixth-form students.
- Reading is a priority, with targeted programmes helping many younger pupils become "confident and fluent readers."
- Governors and trustees "robustly challenge leaders" to ensure actions are always taken in pupils’ best interests.
Areas to improve
- Teachers must develop the expertise to "routinely check what pupils understand with the precision needed" to accurately identify gaps and adapt teaching accordingly.
- Staff must apply the school’s behaviour policy more consistently to ensure learning is not disrupted and all pupils receive appropriate rewards and recognition.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 36.9 |
| 2024/25 | 37.4 |
| 2025/26 | 38.3 |
| 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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