Anthony Gell School
95%
Capacity
781
Pupils
2.0x
Demand
About Anthony Gell School
If you are a parent weighing up Anthony Gell School, the numbers suggest it is a popular choice locally. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 212 applications for 107 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.98 – meaning nearly two families applied for every spot. Of those, 104 were first-preference applications, and 104 first-preference offers were made, indicating that almost every family who put it top got in. While the school does not publish a formal parent satisfaction survey, this level of demand is a strong signal that local families rate it. The school is a mixed, non-faith secondary with a sixth form, and it sits in the Derbyshire Dales area of Derbyshire. It has capacity for 825 pupils and currently has 781 on roll, so there is a little breathing room, but the oversubscription shows it is not underused.
Academically, Anthony Gell School performs well above the local average. Its Progress 8 score for the 2023/24 academic year was 0.27, which is significantly higher than the Derbyshire local authority average of -0.11. This places the school in the 'Above average' banding nationally. Within the Derbyshire Dales, it ranks second out of three schools on this measure, and across the East Midlands it sits in the top quarter of all schools. Attainment 8 came in at 49.9, with 67.3% of pupils achieving a grade 4 or above in English and maths. At A-level, the school's value-added score was 0.18, and the average points per entry was 35.11, equivalent to a B- grade. The best three A-levels averaged a B grade. Ofsted last inspected the school in 2018, rating it Good overall, with Good for leadership, management, and sixth-form provision. The previous inspection in 2015 had rated it Requires Improvement, so the improvement is clear.
The school offers a solid range of facilities, including playing fields, a swimming pool, astro turf, a sports hall, science labs, and a dedicated sixth-form centre. Sports on offer include basketball, hockey, rugby, netball, tennis, and martial arts, while clubs range from art and drama to chess, eco club, and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. For families with children who have special educational needs, the school lists provisions for a wide range of needs, including dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional mental health, speech and language needs, hearing and visual impairments, physical disabilities, and autistic spectrum disorder. With an oversubscription ratio of nearly 2:1, it is a school that suits families who want a strong academic track record in a state setting, particularly those who can apply early and make it their first choice. The sixth form is a clear asset for those looking to stay on post-16.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Wirksworth, Matlock, Derbyshire Dales, DE4 4DX |
| Headteacher | Malcolm Kelly |
| Local Authority | Derbyshire |
| Number of Pupils | 781 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 24.7% |
| School Capacity | 781 / 825 (95% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
2 Oct 2018Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (2 Oct 2018): School remains Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 18 Mar 2015. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.27)
919th of 3,141
Nationally
67th of 273
In East Midlands
2nd of 3
In Derbyshire Dales
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make more progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
41.1
'22/23
31.2
'23/24
35.1
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
6Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
17Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed107
212
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
104 families put this school as their 1st choice (49% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Below the national average (25%).
Below most schools — predominantly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British93.7%
- Mixed2.0%
- White (other)1.8%
- Asian0.1%
- Black0.1%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Permanent exclusion is rare — most schools have none in a given year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
3
Total schools
2
Oversubscribed
2
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anthony Gell School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Wirksworth, Matlock
Derbyshire Dales, DE4 4DX
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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