Droylsden Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of TAME RIVER EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Manor Road, Droylsden, Manchester, M43 6QD
0161 301 7600 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 14 September 2017.
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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 15 September 2022: 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
171 pupils in this year group.
49% — 8 points above the Tameside average, and 4 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Tameside | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 49% | 41% | 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. | 47.7 | 43.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.3 | 3.8 | 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.
176 pupils in this year group.
87% — 2 points below the Tameside average, and 5 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Tameside | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 87% | 89% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 6% | 3% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 31% | 36% | 13% |
| Further education college | 42% | 43% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 6% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 90% | 87% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 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 Tameside. 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 | 181 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 199 |
| Of those, offered a place | 168 (84%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 490 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.6 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.1
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 | Tameside | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Manchester (Tameside). Higher than 77% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 40.5% | 38.6%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 6 state secondary schools in Manchester (Tameside). Higher than 94% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.5% | 4.3%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 6 state secondary schools in Manchester (Tameside). Higher than 88% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 20.3% | 15.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Manchester (Tameside). Higher than 59% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 15.9% | 13.3%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 5th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Manchester (Tameside). Lower than 33% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.3% | 9.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 5th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Manchester (Tameside). Lower than 46% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 24.3% | 24.7%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 4th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Manchester (Tameside). Lower than 19% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 34.7 | 46.3 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 5th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Manchester (Tameside). Lower than 10% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 15.4% | 13.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.32% | 0.43% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 3rd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Manchester (Tameside). Higher than 36% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.2 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Manchester (Tameside). Higher than 19% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.3 | 11.4 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 4th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Manchester (Tameside). Higher than 18% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 8.2% | 12.9%* | 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
- Fairfield High School for Girls 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 58% grade 5+ English and maths
- Wright Robinson College 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 exceptional, 4 strong · 47% grade 5+ English and maths
- Music Stuff 1.2 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
- Laurus Ryecroft 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 51% grade 5+ English and maths
- Connell Co-Op College 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · C- average A level grade
- The East Manchester Academy 1.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 25% grade 5+ English and maths
- Progress Schools - Gorton 1.7 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected
- Co-op Academy Failsworth 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
- Co-op Academy Belle Vue 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024)
- Greater Manchester Independent School 1.8 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Droylsden Academy's Ofsted rating?
Droylsden Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 14 September 2017. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 15 September 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Droylsden Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 49% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 4 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Droylsden Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 199 families put Droylsden Academy as their first choice for 181 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 168 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 135864.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.