SchoolScoresBuxton Community School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of EMBARK MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
College Road, Buxton, SK17 9EA
0129823122 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 14 May 2013. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 29 January 2020: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
192 pupils in this year group.
35% — 8 points below the Derbyshire average, and 11 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Derbyshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 35% | 43% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 41.6 | 45 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.5 | 3.9 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
185 pupils in this year group.
88% — 3 points below the Derbyshire average, and 4 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Derbyshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 88% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 42% | 34% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 2% | 5% | 13% |
| Further education college | 38% | 41% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 88% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
75 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Derbyshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C+ | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 23% | 22% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 47% | 48% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 34.3 | 33.0 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
17 subjects, 199 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Studies:Single | 25 | 4% | 8% | 16% |
| Psychology | 23 | 0% | 9% | 19% |
| Sociology | 23 | 4% | 13% | 20% |
| Mathematics | 15 | 27% | 67% | 40% |
| English Literature | 13 | 0% | 31% | 23% |
| Geography | 13 | 15% | 23% | 23% |
| History | 13 | 0% | 15% | 23% |
| Biology | 12 | 8% | 42% | 27% |
| English Language | 12 | 0% | 8% | 13% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 10 | 10% | 20% | 38% |
| Physics | 10 | 20% | 40% | 31% |
| Religious Studies | 8 | 13% | 25% | 22% |
| Film Studies | 7 | 0% | 0% | 17% |
| Chemistry | 6 | 17% | 50% | 30% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Design and Technology (Product Design), Mathematics (Further), Physical Education / Sports Studies.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
72 students in this year group.
90% — 5 points above the Derbyshire average, and 11 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Derbyshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 90% | 85% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 8% | 11% | 7% |
| Work | 36% | 27% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 90% | 90% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
55 students in this year group.
73% — 11 points above the Derbyshire average, and 13 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Derbyshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 73% | 62% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 27% | 21% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 64% | 73% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Derbyshire. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 123 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 114 |
| Of those, offered a place | 114 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 189 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.9
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Derbyshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 29th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire. Higher than 56% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 29.6% | 30.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 17th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire. Higher than 68% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.8% | 3.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 32nd highest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire. Higher than 50% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.7% | 14.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 37th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire. Higher than 3% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.6% | 3.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 28th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire. Lower than 38% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.0% | 8.4%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 31st lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire. Lower than 43% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 24.9% | 21.5%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 29th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire. Lower than 29% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 25.8 | 24.2 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 28th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire. Lower than 36% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.5% | 7.2% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.29% | 0.24% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 26th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire. Higher than 47% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.7 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 20th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire. Higher than 40% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.4 | 11.5 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 33rd highest of 45 state secondary schools in Derbyshire. Higher than 27% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 9.7% | 12.0%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- St Thomas More Catholic Voluntary Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 47% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Buxton Community School's Ofsted rating?
Buxton Community School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 14 May 2013. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 29 January 2020, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Buxton Community School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 35% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 11 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Buxton Community School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 114 families put Buxton Community School as their first choice for 123 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 114 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 149645.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.