SchoolScoresThe Derby High School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of PRESTOLEE MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Radcliffe Road, Redvales, Lancs, BL9 9NH
0161 764 1819 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 12 November 2014. 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 | Outstanding |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 7 June 2023: 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
182 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 105355), before it changed to its current form.
40% — about the same as the Bury average, and 6 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bury | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 40% | 39% | 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 | 43.4 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.0 | 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.
171 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 105355), before it changed to its current form.
95% — 2 points above the Bury average, and 3 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bury | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 95% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 0% | 2% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 49% | 41% | 13% |
| Further education college | 43% | 44% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 95% | 95% |
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 Bury. 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 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 181 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 210 |
| Of those, offered a place | 178 (85%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 445 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.4 · 2025: 1.2 · 2026: 1.2
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 | Bury | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 5th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Bury. Higher than 70% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 36.5% | 29.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 10th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Bury. Higher than 62% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.5% | 4.1%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 4th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Bury. Higher than 70% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.5% | 13.2%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 14 state secondary schools in Bury. Higher than 84% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 36.0% | 15.2%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 10th lowest of 14 state secondary schools in Bury. Lower than 38% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.1% | 8.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 9th lowest of 14 state secondary schools in Bury. Lower than 34% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 26.7% | 24.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 10th lowest of 14 state secondary schools in Bury. Lower than 21% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 32.9 | 32.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 9th lowest of 14 state secondary schools in Bury. Lower than 30% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.5% | 9.8% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.21% | 0.36% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 14th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Bury. Higher than 11% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 14.5 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 13th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Bury. Higher than 15% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.1 | 11.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 10th highest of 14 state secondary schools in Bury. Higher than 32% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 10.6% | 16.6%* | 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
- Bury CofE High School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 5 expected · 52% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Gabriel's RC High School, a Voluntary Academy 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 39% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bury Grammar Schools 0.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 41% A*/A at A level
- Star Radcliffe Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: No graded inspection
- The Elton High School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected · 37% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hazel Wood High School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 25% grade 5+ English and maths
- Unsworth Academy 2.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), improved significantly 2025 · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- Tottington High School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 23% grade 5+ English and maths
- Philips High School 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2022, before conversion) · 55% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Derby High School's Ofsted rating?
The Derby High School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 12 November 2014. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 7 June 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did The Derby High School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 40% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 6 points below the England average of 45%.
Is The Derby High School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 210 families put The Derby High School as their first choice for 181 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 178 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 152262.
- 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.