SchoolScoresMercia Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of LIONHEART EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Sunnyside, Newhall, Swadlincote, DE11 0TL
01283 216404 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 1 July 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
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 | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
31 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Derbyshire comparisons use the 26 of its 45 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 19 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Derbyshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 19th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derbyshire. Higher than 22% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 71% | 79% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 15th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derbyshire. Higher than 36% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81% | 82% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 17th highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derbyshire. Higher than 26% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 65% | 72% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 16 parents whose child had been bullied 2nd highest of 25 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derbyshire. Higher than 95% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 47% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 27 parents who had raised a concern 15th highest of 25 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derbyshire. Higher than 33% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 63% | 65% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 21st highest of 26 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Derbyshire. Higher than 18% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 61%said yes | 74% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 5%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Derbyshire figures pool parents at the Derbyshire schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
112 pupils in this year group.
23% — 20 points below the Derbyshire average, and 22 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Derbyshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 23% | 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. | 32.6 | 45 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 2.6 | 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.
109 pupils in this year group.
92% — about the same as the Derbyshire average, and about the same as 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. | 92% | 91% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 18% | 34% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 1% | 5% | 13% |
| Further education college | 61% | 41% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 5% | 4% | 3% |
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 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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 138 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 114 |
| Of those, offered a place | 114 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 217 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.7 · 2025: 0.7 · 2026: 0.8
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 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Swadlincote. Higher than 83% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 44.6% | 30.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Swadlincote. Higher than 58% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.3% | 3.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Swadlincote. Higher than 89% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 20.6% | 14.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Swadlincote. Higher than 12% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.1% | 3.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Swadlincote. Lower than 5% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 13.1% | 8.4%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Swadlincote. Lower than 7% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 36.4% | 21.5%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Swadlincote. Lower than 11% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 49.7 | 24.2 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Swadlincote. Lower than 7% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 17.1% | 7.2% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.35% | 0.24% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Swadlincote. Higher than 47% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.7 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Swadlincote. Higher than 37% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.3 | 11.5 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Swadlincote. Higher than 75% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 18.5% | 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
- The Pingle Academy 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 expected, 6 needs attention · 37% grade 5+ English and maths
- Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Voluntary Academy 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- Paulet High School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 30% grade 5+ English and maths
- Granville Academy 1.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 48% grade 5+ English and maths
- Abbot Beyne School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2022 · 27% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Mercia Academy's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 1 July 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Mercia Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 23% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 22 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Mercia Academy?
61% of the 31 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Mercia Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Mercia Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 114 families put Mercia Academy as their first choice for 138 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 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 149380.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.