Droylsden Academy
About Droylsden Academy
Droylsden Academy is a school that local families clearly want to get into. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 582 applications for just 172 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 3.38. Of those applications, 193 were first-preference choices, and 145 first-preference offers were made. That level of demand suggests parents who know the school rate it highly. The school is a mixed, non-faith secondary for ages 11 to 16, with no sixth form, and is run by Tameside local authority. It has a Good Ofsted rating, which it has held since its most recent graded inspection in 2017, and an ungraded inspection in 2022 confirmed it remains Good. The headteacher is Ed Mayell. With 936 pupils on roll against a capacity of 930, the school is essentially full, and 38.1 per cent of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is well above the national average.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
15 Sept 2022Latest monitoring visit (15 Sept 2022): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 12 Oct 2017. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
11Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
18Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Droylsden Academy
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