Lipson Co-operative Academy

About Lipson Co-operative Academy

Lipson Co-operative Academy is a mixed secondary school in Plymouth that is currently operating close to its capacity of 1,150 pupils, with 1,096 on roll. The school serves a community with a notably high level of disadvantage: 44.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, a figure well above the national average and a clear indicator of the demographic it supports. Demand for places is strong — for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 357 applications for 237 places, making it officially oversubscribed. Of those applications, 207 were first-preference choices, and the school offered places to all first-preference applicants, suggesting that families who rank Lipson first are very likely to secure a spot. This level of demand, combined with the high FSM percentage, paints a picture of a school that is both popular locally and deeply embedded in its community, drawing families who value its inclusive, non-selective intake.

Academically, Lipson is performing well above the local average. Its Progress 8 score of +0.4 is significantly higher than the Plymouth local authority average of -0.04, placing the school 3rd out of 18 secondary schools in the area and in the top 25% nationally. This means pupils at Lipson make, on average, nearly half a grade more progress per subject than their peers across England. At GCSE, 67.3% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths, and the Attainment 8 score stands at 47.5. The school’s EBacc entry rate is 17.5%, with 14% achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above. In the sixth form, where 57 pupils took A-levels, the average grade per entry was a C+, with a value-added score of +0.11, rated as average. The best three A-levels averaged a B- grade, and 16.7% of entries were at AAB or higher. Ofsted rated the school Good across all categories in its November 2021 inspection, a notable improvement from its previous Requires Improvement rating in 2019.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including a theatre, art studios, tennis courts, an astro turf pitch, and a dedicated sixth form centre. Sports provision includes swimming, netball, gymnastics, athletics, hockey, and tennis, while extracurricular clubs cover debate, eco club, science club, coding, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Young Enterprise, and Model UN. For pupils with additional needs, Lipson has a comprehensive SEND offer, supporting conditions from dyslexia and moderate learning difficulties to autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, and physical disabilities. Given its strong Progress 8 results, inclusive intake, and oversubscribed but accessible admissions, Lipson is a strong choice for families in Plymouth seeking a non-selective secondary that delivers above-average academic progress, particularly for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. Its sixth form also provides a solid continuation route for those who meet entry requirements.

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