SchoolScoresThe Macclesfield Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16
Part of THE SIR JOHN BRUNNER FOUNDATION
Park Lane, Macclesfield, SK11 8JR
School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 25 February 2020. 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 | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| 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
123 pupils in this year group.
34% — 11 points below the Cheshire East average, and 11 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cheshire East | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 34% | 45% | 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. | 42.7 | 47.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.7 | 4.1 | 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.
116 pupils in this year group.
These results were published under the school's previous registration (URN 137064), before it changed to its current form.
91% — 4 points below the Cheshire East average, and 2 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Cheshire East | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 91% | 95% | 93% |
| School sixth form | 30% | 42% | 36% |
| Sixth form college | 1% | 7% | 13% |
| Further education college | 53% | 37% | 35% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 3% | 3% |
| Work | 4% | 4% | 4% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2023/24 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 Cheshire East. 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 | 92 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 73 |
| Of those, offered a place | 73 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 225 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.7 · 2025: 1.0 · 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 resourced provision with 14 places. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Cheshire East | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Macclesfield. Higher than 52% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 28.0% | 18.9%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Macclesfield. Higher than 99% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 8.9% | 4.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Macclesfield. Higher than 51% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.9% | 10.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools in Macclesfield. Higher than 33% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.0% | 9.3%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Macclesfield. Lower than 42% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.8% | 7.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 4th lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Macclesfield. Lower than 46% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 24.2% | 20.0%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 4th lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Macclesfield. Lower than 28% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 26.8 | 17.8 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 4 state secondary schools in Macclesfield. Lower than 32% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.2% | 5.9% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.19% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools in Macclesfield. Higher than 15% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 14.9 | 16.4 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 4th highest of 4 state secondary schools in Macclesfield. Higher than 14% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.0 | 11.6 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools in Macclesfield. Higher than 67% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 16.5% | 12.1%* | 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).
Nearby secondary schools
- All Hallows Catholic College 0.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 53% grade 5+ English and maths
- Beech Hall School 1.4 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Tytherington School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 strong, 2 expected · 54% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Fallibroome Academy 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 56% grade 5+ English and maths
- The King's School In Macclesfield 2.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 54% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Macclesfield Academy's Ofsted rating?
The Macclesfield Academy was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 25 February 2020.
How did The Macclesfield Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 34% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 11 points below the England average of 45%.
Is The Macclesfield Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 73 families put The Macclesfield Academy as their first choice for 92 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 73 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 150483.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2023/24.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.