Thomas Deacon Academy
Peterborough, PE1 2UW · Peterborough · all-through school
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11th of 13 secondary schools in Peterborough we can score, 15 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 — 4.9/10 against 637 of them, against 3.5/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 36.5 · 28 | 46% | 1.31 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.02 · 49 | 38% | 1.88 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 40.4 · 22 | 15% | 0.33 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Thomas Deacon Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 32.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 39.1, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.02 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than nationally similar peers. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.2 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 2,256 pupils against a stated capacity of 2,560. 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 the current Attainment 8 score and the national median? What specific interventions are in place to improve Progress 8 scores for students from similar backgrounds? How does the academy structure its curriculum to ensure consistent performance across its all-through phases?
What Ofsted said about Thomas Deacon Academy
Overview
Thomas Deacon Academy provides a “welcoming environment where diversity is celebrated” and an “ambitious curriculum” that prepares most pupils well for their next stages. The inspection found that pupils behave well and feel safe, with staff effectively supporting those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, inconsistencies in teaching quality and behaviour management strategies mean some pupils do not achieve as well as they should.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate a “high level of understanding and respect towards others” and enjoy celebrating cultural differences.
- Teachers possess “strong subject knowledge” and use probing questions to deepen understanding, particularly in subjects like English.
- Early readers are “accurately identified” and receive targeted support to become fluent.
- A rich personal development programme promotes character building through activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award and community volunteering.
- Leaders have “effective systems in place to evaluate the school’s performance” and staff feel well supported.
Areas to improve
- A minority of teachers lack sufficient training in assessment, meaning lessons do not always build effectively on prior learning.
- The school does not thoroughly evaluate the effectiveness of suspensions, leading to repeated exclusions without addressing underlying academic or emotional needs.
- Communication systems are not robust enough, leaving some parents unsure how to share their views or engage with the school.
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 | 39.6 |
| 2024/25 | 39.1 |
| 2025/26 | 40.4 |
| 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
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