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OpenSecondaryOfsted: GoodURN 137684

The Dorcan Academy

Academy converter · Swindon · SN3 5DA

Ages 11–16 · 881 pupils · Swindon

School website

Ofsted

Good

Attainment 8

38.2

Overall absence

9.5%

Admissions demand

1.03 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2022-07-12

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.39
−20+2
Attainment 838.2
English & maths grade 5+29%
English & maths grade 4+49%
EBacc entry43%

EBacc APS: 3.4

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence9.5%
Persistent absence (10%+)28.0%
Unauthorised2.4%
Authorised absence
7.1%
Severe absence (50%+)
4.5%
Enrolments in measure
895

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

1.03 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

175

Places offered

170

1st-preference offers

160

Total preferences (any rank)
307
Preferred offers (top 3)
170
Applications from outside LA
3
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill71%

881 pupils · 1,234 places

Pupils on roll
881
Boys / girls
464 / 417
School capacity
1,234
Capacity fill
881 / 1,234 (71%)
Free school meals
30.4%
FSM pupils
268
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: THE DORCAN ACADEMY
Academy trust
THE DORCAN ACADEMY
Headteacher
Mrs Sherryl Bareham

Location

Address
St Paul's Drive, Covingham
Postcode
SN3 5DA
Town
Swindon
County
Wiltshire
Local authority
Swindon
District
Swindon
Constituency
Swindon South
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Swindon, Swindon, 881 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 30.4%.

Open schools in Swindon
107
Secondary schools in Swindon
15
Academies among open schools in Swindon
68% (73)
Open schools in SN3
24
Secondary in SN3
3
Open schools in Swindon LA
92
Secondary in Swindon LA
13

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in SwindonNear SN3

  • Lawn Manor Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Swindon · SN3 1ER · Swindon

    Ages 11–16

    • Att839.4
    • P8-0.0
    • EM5+33%
    • Absence10.3%

    1.4 miles away

  • St Joseph's Catholic College

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Swindon · SN3 3LR · Swindon

    Ages 11–16

    • Att849.1
    • P80.4
    • EM5+50%
    • Absence8.2%

    1.5 miles away

  • Kingsdown School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Swindon · SN2 7SH · Swindon

    Ages 11–16

    • Att841.6
    • P8-0.4
    • EM5+38%
    • Absence9.4%

    2.5 miles away

  • The Commonweal School

    Ofsted: School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Swindon · SN1 4JE · Swindon

    Ages 11–19

    • Att844.9
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+44%
    • Absence9.8%

    2.6 miles away

  • UTC Swindon

    Ofsted: Requires improvement

    University technical college · Secondary

    Swindon · SN1 5ET · Swindon

    Ages 14–19

    • Att831.1
    • P8-1.5
    • EM5+24%
    • Absence11.8%

    2.7 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Sherryl Bareham
Telephone
01793525231
Website
http://www.dorcan.co.uk/

Official links