Newmarket Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of UNITY SCHOOLS PARTNERSHIP
Exning Road, Newmarket, CB8 0EB
01638 664412 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 11 July 2023.
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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
160 pupils in this year group.
46% — 6 points above the Suffolk average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 46% | 40% | 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. | 45.9 | 42.8 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.0 | 3.7 | 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.
163 pupils in this year group.
89% — 4 points below the Suffolk average, and 3 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 89% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 16% | 39% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 22% | 5% | 13% |
| Further education college | 41% | 42% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 6% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 91% | 89% |
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 Suffolk. 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 | 141 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 119 |
| Of those, offered a place | 119 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 192 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.8 · 2025: 0.9 · 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
Specialist SEND provision: this school has a SEN unit with 22 places for autism. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Suffolk | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 27th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Suffolk. Higher than 35% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 21.4% | 22.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 19th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Suffolk. Higher than 73% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 4.1% | 3.8%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 27th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Suffolk. Higher than 40% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 12.4% | 13.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 6th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Suffolk. Higher than 68% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 20.8% | 9.9%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 43 state secondary schools in Suffolk. Lower than 65% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.5% | 9.1%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 8th lowest of 43 state secondary schools in Suffolk. Lower than 67% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 20.1% | 24.3%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 23rd lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Suffolk. Lower than 36% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 21.2 | 31.0 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 18th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Suffolk. Lower than 49% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.9% | 7.7% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.12% | 0.34% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 7th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Suffolk. Higher than 88% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 19.0 | 17.7 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 29th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Suffolk. Higher than 45% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.6 | 12.3 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 8th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Suffolk. Higher than 71% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 17.4% | 12.5%* | 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Questions parents ask
What is Newmarket Academy's Ofsted rating?
Newmarket Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 11 July 2023.
How did Newmarket Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 46% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, about the same as the England average of 45%.
Is Newmarket Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 119 families put Newmarket Academy as their first choice for 141 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 119 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 140669.
- 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.