Classpot

The Dean Academy

Forest of Dean, GL15 5DZSecondaryAges 11–16MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Mar 2026
Progress 8
+0.02
Above average
−20+2
Competition
1.0×
Not oversubscribed
163 1st-choice / 168 places
Ranking
#1,475
of 3,141 nationally

About The Dean Academy

The Dean Academy’s headline Progress 8 score of 0. 02 sits noticeably below the Gloucestershire local authority average of 0. 19, meaning pupils here make slightly less academic progress from Key Stage 2 to 4 than their peers across the county. That gap is modest but consistent — the school ranks 26th out of 44 secondary schools in the LA, placing it in the middle of the pack. In the Forest of Dean specifically, it comes third out of seven schools, which is a stronger local showing. The school’s Attainment 8 score of 39. 3 is also below the national average, and only 29. 3% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths (the basics 95 measure). However, the school serves a community with above-average disadvantage — 31. 6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals — so context matters when reading these numbers.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 16 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterNone
AddressChurch Road, Lydney, Forest of Dean, GL15 5DZ
HeadteacherHannah Rowlands
Local AuthorityGloucestershire
Number of Pupils734
Free School Meals (FSM)31.6%
School Capacity734 / 1,095 (67% full)

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 English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

22 Sept 2021
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good

Source: Ofsted, 21 Oct 2021. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

SEND Support

SEN Unit
AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguagePhysicalLearning DifficultySEN UnitResourced ProvisionOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Dean Academy

The Dean Academy has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.