School Chooser

The Dukeries Academy

Secondary · ages 11-16MixedAcademy709 pupilsNewarkNottinghamshire
School Chooser Score
8
Well below
similar schools
Likely range 5 to 12
Out of 100. Better than 20% of the 50 schools most like it. Slipping year on year.
OfstedAs expected teachingOfsted report card, March 2026
Strong pass in English and maths21%England 46%
Attendance89.8%England 91.4%
Pupils from low-income families43%Far more than most schools
Parents would recommend30%74 Parent View responses
Places41 spare709 pupils, 750 places

The Dukeries Academy is a sponsored academy in Newark for boys and girls aged 11 to 16. It has 709 pupils and room for 750. About 43 in every 100 pupils come from a low-income family, far more than at most schools in England. We give it 8 out of 100. That puts it well below schools like it, ahead of 20% of the 50 schools most like it. Ofsted visited in March 2026 and gave it a report card, which is below.

Whinney Lane, New Ollerton, Newark, NG22 9TD01623 860545dukeries.attrust.org.ukMr Michael Brett headteacherAll details

What Ofsted found

Ofsted visited on 10 March 2026. Instead of one overall word, it now gives a grade for each part of school life. Read the full report on Ofsted's website.

TeachingOfsted calls this “curriculum and teaching”
As expected
Achievement
Needs attention
Behaviour and attendanceOfsted calls this “attendance and behaviour”
As expected
Support for every childOfsted calls this “inclusion”
As expected
WellbeingOfsted calls this “personal development and wellbeing”
As expected
LeadershipOfsted calls this “leadership and governance”
As expected
SafeguardingAre pupils kept safe?
Pupils are kept safe
Met
Ofsted's scale:ExceptionalStrong standardExpected standardNeeds attentionUrgent improvement

Ofsted says these new grades can't be lined up against the old one-word grades.

Earlier inspections (1)
DateTypeOutcome
13 October 2021UngradedSchool remains Good

Results

GCSE results, summer 2025

124 pupils sat their GCSEs. Here is how they did against every state secondary in England.

Average GCSE score34.8
England 46.8
Official name: Attainment 8
Strong pass in English and maths21%
England 46%
Official name: Grade 5+ in English and maths
Standard pass in English and maths34%
England 66%
Official name: Grade 4+ in English and maths
Progress from age 11-0.28In each subject, pupils here finished about half a grade behind children across England who started secondary school at the same level. (From 2023/24, the latest year there is. The government didn't work it out for the 2025 year group.)Official name: Progress 8
Trend
Average GCSE score
2018 to 2025
2018: 43.943.920182019: 49.049.020192022: 39.639.620222023: 41.141.120232024: 39.339.320242025: 34.834.82025
Since 2018: -9.1Declining overall
All GCSE measures, year by year
Measure202520242023202220192018NottinghamshireEngland
Pupils at the end of Year 11124117134126130132
Average GCSE scoreAttainment 834.839.341.139.649.043.946.446.8
Progress from age 11Progress 8-0.28-0.46-0.58+0.23+0.03
Strong pass in English and mathsGrade 5+ in English and maths21%28%32%30%38%29%46%46%
Standard pass in English and mathsGrade 4+ in English and maths34%46%57%44%61%56%67%66%
Core subjects scoreEBacc average point score2.893.383.523.173.853.524.094.15
Taking the core subjectsEBacc entry11%27%35%15%35%27%38%41%
Average GCSE score: low-income pupilsAttainment 8, disadvantaged29.229.732.432.640.038.6
Average GCSE score: other pupilsAttainment 8, non-disadvantaged39.044.446.145.053.546.6
Average GCSE score: pupils who started behindAttainment 8, low prior attainers26.124.626.229.826.4
Average GCSE score: pupils who started aheadAttainment 8, high prior attainers60.458.760.961.558.1

Subjects

Results came out for 12 GCSE subjects in 2025. Each figure is the share of pupils who got a grade 5 or better, next to the average for state secondaries in England.

Subjects that did worse than the England average: Drama (27% here, 60% across England), Physics (50% here, 82% across England), Combined Science (8% here, 36% across England), Mathematics (25% here, 53% across England).

What is taught hereOffers triple science.
LanguagesSpanish14

The small number is how many pupils sat each subject. Subjects with fewer than six pupils aren't published.

Every subject against England, 2025
Mathematics124 entries · 43rd of 45 in Nottinghamshire
25%England 53%
English Literature124 entries · 40th of 45 in Nottinghamshire
34%England 58%
English Language124 entries · 43rd of 45 in Nottinghamshire
30%England 54%
Combined Science102 entries · 45th of 45 in Nottinghamshire
8%England 36%
Geography66 entries · 44th of 45 in Nottinghamshire
24%England 51%
Art and Design51 entries · 34th of 39 in Nottinghamshire
43%England 58%
History49 entries · 31st of 45 in Nottinghamshire
41%England 52%
Physics22 entries · 36th of 40 in Nottinghamshire
50%England 82%
Drama22 entries · 12th of 13 in Nottinghamshire
27%England 60%
Biology22 entries · 29th of 40 in Nottinghamshire
68%England 82%
Chemistry21 entries · 33rd of 40 in Nottinghamshire
62%England 81%
Spanish14 entries
21%England 54%
SubjectEntriesGrades 9 to 7Grades 9 to 5Grades 9 to 4England 9 to 5Rank in England
Mathematics1244%25%42%53%3,096 of 3,211
English Literature1247%34%46%58%2,947 of 3,202
English Language1249%30%44%54%3,042 of 3,210
Combined Science1022%8%28%36%3,023 of 3,084
Geography663%24%35%51%2,847 of 3,116
Art and Design516%43%69%58%2,124 of 2,818
History4920%41%41%52%2,197 of 3,126
Physics225%50%68%82%2,382 of 2,546
Drama229%27%36%60%783 of 844
Biology2223%68%91%82%2,046 of 2,570
Chemistry2114%62%81%81%2,158 of 2,537
Spanish140%21%29%54%

In combined science each pupil gets two grades and we count the lower one. Rankings only include state secondaries where 20 or more pupils sat the subject.

A level and sixth-form results, 2025

37 students finished sixth-form courses.

Average A level gradeC-28.3 points per entry
A level progress-0.28Against students elsewhere with the same GCSE grades. 0 is average.
AAB or better13%with two subjects universities favour
Stayed and finished100%of students who started
All sixth-form measures, year by year
Measure202520242023202220192018
Students373329408181
Average A level points per entryA level APS per entry28.3317.7824.4732.4427.1329.02
Average A level gradeC-D-D+C+C-C
Best three A levelsBest 3 A levels APS29.7129.5234.7629.6735.10
AAB or better in subjects universities likeAAB+ in two facilitating subjects13%0%10%5%12%
A level progressA level value added-0.28-1.02-0.37+0.11
Applied general courses: points per entry24.0022.7927.2930.03
Stayed and finishedRetained and assessed100%83%100%96%80%84%

A level subjects

5 A level subjects had results in 2025. Each figure is the share of students who got an A* to B, next to the average for state sixth forms in England. When only a handful of students take a subject, its figures jump around from year to year.

A levels taught hereThe small number is how many students sat each one in 2025.
SubjectsSociology15Psychology14English Literature13Mathematics9History8
Every A level subject against England, 2025
Sociology15 entries · 13% A* or A · 100% passed
33%England 49%
Psychology14 entries · 0% A* or A · 64% passed
7%England 46%
English Literature13 entries · 15% A* or A · 100% passed
39%England 52%
Mathematics9 entries · 22% A* or A · 100% passed
33%England 60%
History8 entries · 25% A* or A · 100% passed
75%England 55%

A levels only. BTECs, T levels and other courses are in the table above. Subjects with fewer than five students aren't published.

Does every child do well here?

A good school does well by every child, not just on average. Each row compares two groups of pupils here. The grey marks show the same two groups across England. 2 of the 3 gaps are smaller than the gap across England. When a group has fewer than about ten pupils, its figures jump around a lot from year to year.

At GCSE, 2025

Average GCSE scoreLow-income pupils vs other pupils
29.239.0
Gap 9.8England 12.2
Strong pass in English and mathsLow-income pupils vs other pupils
11%28%
Gap 17 ptsEngland 22 pts
Average GCSE scoreBoys vs girls
33.036.4
Gap 3.4England 3.0
First groupSecond groupEngland, each group

Low-income means the child has had free school meals at some point in the last six years. A group's figure isn't published when it has fewer than six pupils.

Getting a place

Open to all. There is no entrance test.

Plenty of spare places750 pupils for 900 places, 2024/25
83% full

150 places were empty (17% of the total), so almost everyone who applies gets in. Pupil numbers have grown by 7% since 2021/22.

Will my child get a place?

In 2026 every child who applied got a place, so how far away you live didn't matter. That could change if the school gets more popular.

We measure in a straight line from the middle of your postcode to the school. The council measures its own way, and the cut-off changes every year. Use this as a rough guide, and read the council's admissions booklet before you apply.

How places were given out for September 2026. Every child who applied got a place (120 offers for 180 places).

EntryPlacesApplied at allGot a placeHow far the last child livedSource
2026 Secondary180193120all offeredLA
2025 Secondary180199139all offeredLA
2024 Secondary180229145all offeredLA

What parents say

Would recommend the school30%England 77%
My child is happy here37%agree or strongly agree
My child feels safe42%
Positive overall20%
My child is happy at this school
37%England 75%
My child feels safe at this school
42%England 79%
Pupils are well behavedThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved
23%England 71%
Has your child been bullied here?Parents answering yes
55% yesEngland 26%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOnly parents whose child was bullied
22%England 48%
My child gets the right support to learn well
28%England 71%
Does your child have SEND?Parents answering yes
42% yesEngland 31%
The school gives them the support they needOnly parents of children with SEND
10%England 58%
The school communicates well with me
35%England 71%
My concerns have been dealt with properlyWhen I have raised concerns
34%England 58%
Decisions put the child's best interests first
24%England 67%
I would recommend this school
30%England 77%
Overall view of the school is positive
20%England 67%
Strongly agreeAgreeDon't knowDisagreeStrongly disagreeEngland, agree or yes

From Ofsted's Parent View survey: 74 parents answered in the year to 6 April 2026. Parents choose whether to fill it in, and many only do so when an inspection is coming, so don't read too much into small differences. The England figures are the average for secondary schools with enough answers to publish.

Who goes here

Who a school teaches matters. That is why our score compares it with schools that take in a similar mix of children, not with every school in the country.

Pupils on roll709Census January 2026
Places75095% full
Pupils from low-income families43%43% have had free school meals at some point in the last six years
Pupils learning English3%First language is not English
Pupils getting extra support16%116 pupils with SEN support
Pupils with an EHC plan2%14 pupils with a plan
Average class size26.526 classes, January 2026; England 22.8
Classes with more than 30 pupils23%share of one-teacher classes; England 12%
Pupils with extra funding (pupil premium)43%£338,800 extra funding in 2026/27; England 30%
Boys and girls351 / 358
White British pupils94%

The most common needs among pupils getting extra support: emotional and mental health (48), Other difficulty or disability (41), Autistic spectrum disorder (22), Moderate learning difficulty (14), Specific learning difficulty (3), Physical disability (1).

How the mix of pupils has changed
Census202620252024202320222021
Pupils on roll709762777726712689
Pupils from low-income familiesFree school meals43%40%37%36%32%28%
Pupils learning EnglishEnglish as an additional language3%2%2%2%1%1%
Pupils getting extra supportSEN support21%13%8%7%11%
Pupils with an EHC planEducation, health and care plans2%1%1%2%1%

Attendance and behaviour

In 2024/25 pupils were in school 89.8% of the time. Across similar schools in England it was 91.4%.

Attendance89.8%
England 91.4%
Official name: 100 minus overall absence
Pupils missing a lot of school32.0%
England 23.9%
Official name: Persistent absence
Suspensions per 100 pupils96.92024/25, no permanent exclusions
Missed without permission5.1%of school time, 2024/25
Attendance year by year
Measure2024/252023/242022/232021/222020/212018/19England
Sessions missedOverall absence10.2%10.9%9.6%9.1%5.4%5.6%8.6%
Missed with permissionAuthorised absence5.2%4.4%3.8%4.6%2.4%3.2%
Missed without permissionUnauthorised absence5.1%6.4%5.9%4.5%3.0%2.4%
Pupils missing a lot of schoolPersistent absence32.0%33.2%30.3%29.4%14.7%12.7%23.9%
SuspensionsSuspension rate96.970.834.745.727.0
Permanent exclusionsPermanent exclusions04320

What pupils do next

After GCSEs

Where the 134 pupils who left in 2022/23 were a year later.

Still in education, work or training83%and stayed there for at least six months

Among pupils from low-income families it was 78%, compared with 86% for everyone else.

Earlier years
Destination2022/23 leavers2021/22 leavers2020/21 leavers2019/20 leavers
Still in education, work or training83%83%78%89%
Education78%72%66%81%
Apprenticeship4%3%5%3%
Work1%8%8%5%
Not in education, work or training11%11%18%9%

After sixth form

Where the 28 pupils who left in 2022/23 were a year later.

Still in education, work or training86%and stayed there for at least six months

Where the ones heading for university went

Went on to degree-level study or training61%England 72%
Top-third universities13%England 22%. The universities that ask for the highest grades
Higher or degree apprenticeship0%England 6%
Higher technical course3%Level 4 or 5, such as an HNC or HND

Among students from low-income families, 50% went on to degree-level study or training.

Earlier years
Destination2022/23 leavers2021/22 leavers2020/21 leavers2019/20 leavers
Still in education, work or training86%90%93%
Education50%54%56%
Apprenticeship0%5%7%0%
Work36%31%31%
Not in education, work or training7%10%4%

Staff and money

From the government's count of school staff in November 2025 and the school's published accounts.

Teachers40.2full-time equivalent, 43 people
Pupils per teacher17.6Pupils for every full-time teacher
Fully qualified teachers93%hold qualified teacher status
Teaching assistants13.3full-time equivalent
Average teacher pay£53,461
Teachers who left in the year23%2024/25, for any reason including retirement
Vacancies0
Sick days per teacher7.92024/25

Money

From the academy accounts return, year to August 2025. The per-pupil figures are compared with other secondary schools in England that report their accounts the same way.

Spend per pupil£7,628England £7,965. Total £5.8m
Income per pupil£8,325England £8,423. Total £6.4m
Spent on teachers per pupil£4,081England £4,444
Money in reserve2%Very little put by: £136k, £178 per pupil. England 10%
Money in against money out+£532kit took in more than it spent this year
Where the money goes£7,628spent per pupil

Reserves are the money left over at the end of the year, kept back for emergencies and big projects. Being in the red year after year is a warning sign. Very large reserves can mean money sitting in the bank instead of being spent on today's pupils. Academy figures are rounded to the nearest £1,000 and include a share of any money the trust holds centrally.

The area around the school

Crimes within 500 m25112 months to June 2026, mostly violence and sexual offences
Local crime rate81 per 1,000 people11% lower than the England average
Typical house price£236,000Newark and Sherwood
Nearest bus stop120 mFir View, 19 stops within 500 m

Crime figures come from police.uk. The police record each crime at the nearest of a fixed set of map points rather than the exact spot, so “within 500 m” is only rough. House prices are from HM Land Registry sales nearby over the last two years.

Nearby schools

The closest secondary schools, nearest first. Hover over a row to see it on the map.

Well aboveAboveIn lineBelowWell belowNot scored

No other schools of this phase within 8 km.

Compared with schools like it

Our score compares The Dukeries Academy with the 50 schools in England whose pupils are most like its own. We match on family income, how many children are learning English, special needs, the neighbourhood, the size of the school and how it admits pupils. Those 50 schools are dotted all over the country, so we don't list them. What matters is where this school sits among them.

Beats20%of schools with a similar mix of pupils
In the bottom quarter of its group. Its score of 8 is 13 points below the typical school in the group.
0Lowest of the group 2 · middle 21 · highest 88100

Nearby schools with a similar mix of pupils that score higher

Of those 50 schools, these are within 25 km and score at least five points more than The Dukeries Academy, nearest first. A school with the same kind of pupils and a higher score is the fairest sign that it gets more out of them.

SchoolTypeDistancePupilsOfstedScore
The Bolsover SchoolAcademy11.5 miles911Report card 202541Compare
Sutton Community AcademyAcademy12.3 miles796Report card 202618Compare
Tibshelf Community SchoolCouncil15.4 miles834Report card 202642Compare

How the score was worked out

The score is out of 100. A 8 means that once everything below is added up, this school comes out ahead of 8% of secondary schools in England. Results bounce around from year to year, especially in small schools, so we also show a likely range: 5 to 12. Every part is judged against schools with a similar mix of pupils. For small schools we pull each part towards the group average, so one unusual year can't swing the score too far.

What we looked atHow much it countsAgainst schools like itEffect on the scoreBased on
Results over three years20%well below
-0.21
2025, 2024 and 2023 results; 124 pupils
Ofsted inspection20%below
-0.16
Ofsted report card, 0.5 years old
Progress pupils make20%below
-0.13
DfE progress measure; 124 pupils
Direction of travel over five years10%well below
-0.10
results and attendance falling year on year
Attendance and behaviour10%well below
-0.13
2024/25; 759 pupils
Results, allowing for the mix of pupils10%below
-0.04
Attainment relative to schools with a similar intake; 124 pupils
What pupils do next5%well below
-0.07
134 pupils
What parents say5%well below
-0.14
Ofsted's Parent View survey, allowing for how many parents replied; 74 responses

Worked out on 13 September 2026 (method v1). Read how the score works, including every weight and the checks we run. Think a number is wrong? Tell us.

Questions parents ask

Is The Dukeries Academy a good school?

The figures are weak. The Dukeries Academy scores 8 out of 100. That is well below schools that take in a similar mix of pupils, and ahead of 20% of the 50 schools most like it in England. The score could fairly be anywhere from 5 to 12, so a few points either way between schools doesn't mean much. Its results have been slipping over the last five years.

What is The Dukeries Academy's Ofsted rating?

Ofsted no longer gives schools one overall grade. When it visited on 10 March 2026 it rated teaching as as expected, achievement as needs attention, behaviour and attendance as as expected, leadership as as expected.

How good are The Dukeries Academy's GCSE results?

In summer 2025, 21% of pupils got a grade 5 or better in both English and maths. Across England it was 46%. Its Attainment 8 score, which is the average grade across a pupil's best eight subjects times ten, was 34.8, against 46.8 for England. In each subject, pupils here finished about half a grade behind children across England who started secondary school at the same level.

How many pupils does The Dukeries Academy have?

709 pupils aged 11 to 16 were on the roll in January 2026. It has 750 places, so it is 95% full.

Is The Dukeries Academy oversubscribed?

Probably not. 150 places were empty in 2024/25 (17% of the total), so most families who apply get a place.

What is attendance like at The Dukeries Academy?

Pupils were in school 89.8% of the time in 2024/25. Similar schools in England managed 91.4%. 32% of pupils missed at least a tenth of the year.

What do parents say about The Dukeries Academy?

30% of the 74 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey would recommend it to other parents, and 37% say their child is happy there. Across England, 77% of parents would recommend their child's school.

How big are the classes at The Dukeries Academy?

The average class had 26.5 pupils in January 2026. Across England it was 22.8. 23% of classes had more than 30 pupils.

Does The Dukeries Academy have a sixth form?

No. Pupils leave after Year 11 for a sixth form elsewhere, a college or an apprenticeship; 83% of 2022/23 leavers were still in education, work or training six months on.

These answers come straight from the figures on this page and update when new data comes out.

Contact and details

Address
Whinney Lane, New Ollerton, Newark, NG22 9TD
Telephone
01623 860545
Website
www.dukeries.attrust.org.uk
Headteacher
Mr Michael Brett
Type of school
Sponsored academy (Academy sponsor led, academies)
Phase
Secondary school, ages 11-16
Gender
Mixed
Multi-academy trust
Academy Transformation Trust (20 schools)
Local authority
Nottinghamshire
Ward
Ollerton
Constituency
Sherwood Forest
Setting
Urban: Further from a major town or city
Opened
1 January 2013 (new provision)
URN
139062 · LAESTAB 8914014 · UKPRN 10039872
Formerly
The Dukeries College

Recent changes

  • New KS4 results for 2024/25

Where these figures come from