SchoolScoresThomas Deacon Academy
Academy · All-through, ages 7 to 19 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of THOMAS DEACON EDUCATION TRUST
Queen's Gardens, Peterborough, PE1 2UW
01733 426060 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 12 November 2024, 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 | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
50 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Peterborough comparisons use the 9 of its 17 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 8 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 | Peterborough | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 4th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Peterborough. Higher than 20% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 70% | 75% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 6th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Peterborough. Higher than 13% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 68% | 78% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 7th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Peterborough. Higher than 12% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 52% | 68% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 29 parents whose child had been bullied 6th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Peterborough. Higher than 9% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 31% | 40% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 41 parents who had raised a concern 6th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Peterborough. Higher than 13% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 49% | 61% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 14 parents of children with SEND 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Peterborough. Higher than 17% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 43% | 57% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 5th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Peterborough. Higher than 13% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 54%said yes | 68% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 2%). 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. Peterborough figures pool parents at the Peterborough 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
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
90 pupils in this year group.
56% — 5 points below the Peterborough average, and 6 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Peterborough | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 56% | 61% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 1% | 5% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 67% | 72% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 66% | 71% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 60% | 73% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 104 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 101 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
346 pupils in this year group.
32% — 7 points below the Peterborough average, and 13 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Peterborough | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 32% | 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. | 39.1 | 43 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.1 | 3.6 | 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.
330 pupils in this year group.
90% — 2 points below the Peterborough average, and 2 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Peterborough | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 90% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 49% | 49% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | Not published | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 38% | 37% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 2% | 3% |
"Not published": Not published (DfE code SP).
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 91% | 90% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
149 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Peterborough | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C- | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 10% | 21% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 29% | 47% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 26.2 | 32.3 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
25 subjects, 346 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sociology | 51 | 2% | 12% | 20% |
| Business Studies:Single | 48 | 6% | 19% | 16% |
| Psychology | 37 | 0% | 5% | 19% |
| Economics | 35 | 0% | 11% | 26% |
| Biology | 25 | 0% | 4% | 27% |
| Mathematics | 22 | 0% | 14% | 40% |
| Chemistry | 21 | 0% | 5% | 30% |
| Government and Politics | 18 | 0% | 6% | 26% |
| Physics | 15 | 0% | 0% | 31% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 13 | 0% | 0% | 24% |
| History | 12 | 0% | 8% | 23% |
| Religious Studies | 12 | 0% | 0% | 22% |
| English Language and Literature | 7 | 0% | 0% | 16% |
| English Literature | 7 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 6 | 17% | 33% | 38% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Graphics), Geography, Art and Design (Photography), Art and Design (Textiles), Italian, Mathematics (Further), Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Turkish.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
145 students in this year group.
86% — 9 points above the Peterborough average, and 7 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Peterborough | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 86% | 77% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 7% | 7% |
| Work | 17% | 34% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 87% | 86% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
163 students in this year group.
78% — 21 points above the Peterborough average, and 18 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Peterborough | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 78% | 57% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 12% | 13% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 77% | 78% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 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 Peterborough. 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 | 227 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 148 |
| Of those, offered a place | 147 (99%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 445 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.7 · 2025: 0.7 · 2026: 0.7
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 | Peterborough | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 5th highest of 17 state secondary schools in Peterborough. Higher than 72% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 37.6% | 32.8%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 10th highest of 17 state secondary schools in Peterborough. Higher than 29% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.1% | 2.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 13th highest of 17 state secondary schools in Peterborough. Higher than 14% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 8.4% | 10.1%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 17 state secondary schools in Peterborough. Higher than 87% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 39.9% | 27.5%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 13th lowest of 17 state secondary schools in Peterborough. Lower than 34% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.3% | 8.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 13th lowest of 17 state secondary schools in Peterborough. Lower than 30% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 27.4% | 24.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 14th lowest of 17 state secondary schools in Peterborough. Lower than 13% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 45.8 | 29.6 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 13th lowest of 17 state secondary schools in Peterborough. Lower than 19% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.2% | 9.3% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded5 pupils | 0.22% | 0.29% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 5th highest of 17 state secondary schools in Peterborough. Higher than 76% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.1 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 9th highest of 17 state secondary schools in Peterborough. Higher than 31% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.0 | 11.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 10th highest of 17 state secondary schools in Peterborough. Higher than 34% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 10.9% | 12.4%* | 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
- Greater Peterborough UTC 0.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 24% grade 5+ English and maths
- The King's (The Cathedral) School 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 76% grade 5+ English and maths
- City of Peterborough Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
- St John Fisher Catholic High School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 39% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Peterborough School 1.4 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 24% A*/A at A level
- Manor Drive Secondary Academy 1.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
- Jack Hunt Academy 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- Iqra Academy 1.8 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
- Queen Katharine Academy 1.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 23% grade 5+ English and maths
- Stanground Academy 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 43% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Thomas Deacon Academy's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 12 November 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Thomas Deacon Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 32% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 13 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Thomas Deacon Academy?
54% of the 50 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Thomas Deacon Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Thomas Deacon Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 148 families put Thomas Deacon Academy as their first choice for 227 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 147 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 135263.
- 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, Key stage 2 2024/25, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.