Desborough College
51%
Capacity
578
Pupils
2.7x
Demand
About Desborough College
Desborough College is a state-funded Does not apply secondary school serving the Windsor and Maidenhead community, welcoming boys from age 11 to 18. The school has 578 pupils on roll, operating at 51% capacity.
Ofsted has rated Desborough College "Good", the school is led by headteacher Andrew Murdoch, it falls under Windsor and Maidenhead local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.17 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 44.9. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C-. Additionally, ranked 1953rd out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 9th out of 10 in Windsor and Maidenhead.
Desborough College is a popular choice with families — it received 281 applications for 103 places, making it 2.7x oversubscribed. Of these, 65 were first-preference applications.
Desborough College has mixed reviews on SchoolParrot (1.9/5 from 6 parents).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 6 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 3 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Desborough College include Art Studios, ICT Suite, Sixth Form Centre, Gymnasium, Music Rooms, Dining Hall, Theatre, Astro Turf, Library, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Dance, Cross Country, Badminton, Rugby and 3 more, as well as clubs including Debate, Model UN, Eco Club, Choir and 5 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 16.9%, which is below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Windsor and Maidenhead, Desborough College is one of the options available in the South East region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Boys |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Shoppenhangers Road, Maidenhead, Windsor and Maidenhead, SL6 2QB |
| Headteacher | Andrew Murdoch |
| Local Authority | Windsor and Maidenhead |
| Number of Pupils | 578 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 16.9% |
| School Capacity | 578 / 1,140 (51% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
17 May 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (17 May 2024): School remains Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 22 Oct 2014. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.17)
1953rd of 3,141
Nationally
295th of 461
In South East
9th of 10
In Windsor and Maidenhead
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make less 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
30.6
'22/23
19.2
'23/24
25.4
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
10Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
16Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed103
281
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
65 families put this school as their 1st choice (23% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Desborough College
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
Shoppenhangers Road, Maidenhead
Windsor and Maidenhead, SL6 2QB
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Reviews on Other Platforms
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