Heanor Gate Spencer Academy

About Heanor Gate Spencer Academy

Heanor Gate Spencer Academy’s Progress 8 score of 0.14 places it comfortably above the Derbyshire local authority average of -0.11, meaning pupils here make about a quarter of a grade more progress per subject than the typical student in the area. That gap is meaningful: it puts the school 15th out of 46 secondaries in the county, and 3rd out of 8 schools in Amber Valley specifically. The school is also one of only two secondaries in the entire local authority rated Outstanding by Ofsted, which it achieved in its most recent inspection in 2023. That inspection awarded top marks across the board — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision all came back as Outstanding. For context, the school had been rated Good in its previous inspection in 2017, so this represents a clear upward trajectory in official judgement.

Academically, the picture is strong but uneven. The Attainment 8 score sits at 48.8, and 62.7% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths — well above the national baseline. The EBacc average point score of 4.43 and an EBacc entry rate of 40.1% suggest a solid academic core. However, the Progress 8 breakdown reveals a notable split: progress in English is significantly negative at -0.38, while maths progress is positive at 0.18, and the EBacc and open elements are even stronger at 0.32 and 0.26 respectively. That English figure is worth probing if your child struggles with literacy. At A-level, the school’s value-added score of 0.09 is rated Average, with students averaging a B- grade across their best three subjects and 20.8% achieving at least AAB. The sixth form is a clear strength, given its Outstanding Ofsted rating and a dedicated Sixth Form Centre.

The school is heavily oversubscribed: for 260 places in Year 7, it received 463 applications, with 259 first-preference applications and 257 offers made to first-preference families — an oversubscription ratio of 1.78. That tells you it’s a popular choice locally. Facilities are generous for a state school, including a swimming pool, astro turf, tennis courts, and a library, plus a wide range of sports from rowing to gymnastics. The SEND provision covers seven areas including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, dyslexia, and speech and language needs, so it’s equipped to support a range of additional needs. With 31.6% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a genuinely mixed catchment. It’s a good fit for families who want strong academic progress in maths and sciences, a well-regarded sixth form, and a broad extracurricular offer — but those with children who need extra support in English should investigate how the school addresses that dip.

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