Schools by area › Swindon › The Dorcan Academy
The Dorcan Academy
Secondary · Mixed · Ages 11–16 · Academy
St Paul's Drive, Covingham, Swindon SN3 5DA · dorcan.co.uk · 01793 525231
Overview
- Ofsted
- Good
- 2019 framework · inspected Jul 2022
- GCSEs, 2024/25
- 44.3
- average Attainment 8 score. Swindon 44, England 46
- Last distance offered
- 4.52 mi
- 7.27 km · Year 7, September 2026 entry · Furthest distance offered · Swindon Council
- Demand for places
- 1.1
- first choices for each place · Year 7, September 2026
- Pupils
- 881
- 71% of 1,234 places
- Local authority
- Swindon
- Sixth form
- No
- Admissions
- Non-selective
- Free school meals
- 30.4%
- First language not English
- 11%
- School census 2025/26
- Trust
- The Dorcan Academy
The official school record (Department for Education)
Admissions
For Year 7 in September 2026, the last place offered under “Furthest distance offered” went to a home 4.52 mi (7.27 km) from the school. Source: Swindon Council’s document.
For Year 7 in September 2026, 187 families put the school first and 170 places were offered; 89% of those families were offered a place there. Admission depends on the school’s own rules.
Demand for places
First choices against places
| Year 7 | Places | First choices | Per place | % offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026Sept 2026 | 170 | 187 | 1.1▲ | 89% |
| September 2025Sept 2025 | 170 | 169 | 1 | 91% |
| September 2024Sept 2024 | 170 | 175 | 1▲ | 91% |
| September 2023Sept 2023 | 180 | 167 | 0.9 | 99% |
| September 2022Sept 2022 | 172 | 156 | 0.9 | 100% |
Last distance offered
| Year 7 – Furthest distance offered | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | 4.52 mi7.27 km | |
Results
In 2024/25 the average Attainment 8 score at GCSE was 44.3, and 44.8% of pupils got grade 5 or above in English and maths. Across Swindon it was 44, and across England 46.
GCSE results
Attainment 8
| 2024/25 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| ●44.3 | 46.0 | ||
| ●44.8% | 45.4% | ||
| ▼62.6% | 64.8% | ||
| ▼15.3% | 40.5% | ||
| ▼3.79 | 4.09 |
Where Year 11 leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| School sixth form | 2.1 | −4 |
| Sixth form college | 11.9 | +4.1 |
| Further education | 65.7 | +0.5 |
| Apprenticeship | 4.2 | +0.7 |
| Employment | 7 | +2.7 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 5.6 | −4 |
| Activity not captured | 3.5 | 0 |
Ofsted
The Dorcan Academy was judged Good at its last graded inspection, on 12 July 2022, under Ofsted’s 2019 framework.
- Overall
- Good
- Inspected
- 12 Jul 2022
- Graded inspection
Safeguarding effectiveInspection reports
Graded areas
| Quality of education | Good |
|---|---|
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
Previously: Requires improvement, graded inspection, Nov 2018
Earlier inspections
Before September 2019
Nov 2018Requires improvement
Outcomes for pupils Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good Leadership and management Good Safeguarding Effective May 2016Inadequate
Outcomes for pupils Inadequate Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Personal development, behaviour and welfare Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement Safeguarding Effective Nov 2013Requires improvement
Outcomes for pupils Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement
What parents said
65% of the parents who answered Ofsted’s Parent View survey would recommend the school (69 replies, to 2 April 2023).
- Recommend
- 65%
- Replies
- 69
- 10% · 2 Apr 2023
based on the 81% who raised concerns
based on the 45% who had a child bullied
based on 19 parents (28%) with SEND