Ofsted: Good trending_up Popular emoji_events #3 in Knowsley public Top 54% UK

Lord Derby Academy

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

person Miss Victoria Gowan (Head of School)

corporate_fareTHE DEAN TRUST

location_onLiverpool, L36 6DG

language Visit Website phone 01514778860

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

1,072

trending_up

Attainment 8

34.3

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#5 in Knowsley

#3,461 of 4,024 nationally

summarize

Lord Derby Academy is a Academy sponsor led secondary school in Liverpool, serving ages 11-16. Rated Good by Ofsted. Demand is above capacity (1.3×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

Lord Derby Academy is an academy sponsor led in Liverpool, Knowsley, admitting pupils aged 11-16. It is part of THE DEAN TRUST. The school has approximately 1,076 pupils on roll, of whom 57% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2026, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 34.3, placing the school #5 in Knowsley and #3,461 of 4,024 nationally. 18.40% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 4.0% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. The school's current overall rating is Good. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.3× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 15.8:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 1.4 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2026

Attainment 8 Score

34.3

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

18.40%

Grade 4+ E&M

42.20%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)4.0%

5+ GCSEs (4+ incl. E&M)35.00%

Triple Science Entry8.70%

EBacc Slot Score9.7 / 30

2025

Attainment 8 Score

39.9

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

27.50%

Grade 4+ E&M

52.90%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)8.6%

Entering EBacc73.00%

EBacc APS3.68

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.59

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

38.7

Grade 5+ E&M

26.30%

Entering EBacc74.60%

EBacc APS3.58

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.72

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

34.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc68%

EBacc APS3.17

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.61

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

39.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc71%

EBacc APS3.57

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.3

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

37.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc75%

EBacc APS3.45

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.53

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

35.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc69%

EBacc APS3.15

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2026

Stayed in Education / Employment

84%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)79.3%

Apprenticeships1.9%

Employment2.8%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)11.3%

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

83%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)75%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)13%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

90%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)71%

Apprenticeships7%

Employment12%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)9%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

89%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)79%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)10%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

88%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)85%

ApprenticeshipsSP%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)10%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

81%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)73%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)16%

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Ranking History & Trajectory

National & Local Authority position based on DfE performance data · Methodology

Year	Secondary Overall (Nat)	LA Rank	GCSE Attainment	Progress 8 Rank
2026	#3,590 / 4,024	#3	#3,461	#1
2025	#2,961 / 3,948	#2	#2,849	#1
2024	#2,961 / 4,450	#2	#2,967	#2,767
2023	#3,199 / 4,321	#3	#3,256	#2,844
2022	#3,040 / 4,199	#2	#3,027	#2,672
2019	#2,318 / 2,711	#1	#2,481	#2,109
2018	#2,387 / 2,537	#3	#2,408	#2,313

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

27 June 2023

Inspection Report

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24 April 2019

Inspection Report

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10 January 2017

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2023-06-27

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 2 EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

2019-04-24

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

2017-01-10

None Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

2012-11-27

None Legacy

Inadequate

Education

Inadequate

Leadership

Requires improvement

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

1.6%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

1.5%(16 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,078 pupils. During this period, there were 17 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 1.6%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,078	17	1.6%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,088	13	1.2%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,071	8	0.7%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,086	9	0.8%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,097	6	0.5%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,074	4	0.4%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,072	4	0.4%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,068	1	0.1%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,082	4	0.4%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,090	2	0.2%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,088	2	0.2%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,104	1	0.1%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,110	1	0.1%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,109	2	0.2%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,102	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,102	0	0.0%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,110	5	0.5%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,014	4	0.4%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,007	1	0.1%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,016	4	0.4%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	931	2	0.2%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	931	2	0.2%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	933	5	0.5%	3.7%	1
2016/17 (Summer term)	835	2	0.2%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	839	6	0.7%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	839	7	0.8%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 73 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 37 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 26 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 23 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 11 pupils

Visual Impairment 6 pupils

Physical Disability 3 pupils

Hearing Impairment 2 pupils

health_and_safety

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

84%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

86%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

17%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree40%

agree40%

disagree9%

strongly disagree5%

don't know5%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree23%

agree50%

disagree11%

strongly disagree7%

don't know9%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree15%

agree21%

disagree7%

strongly disagree10%

don't know3%

not applicable43%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes25%

no75%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree38%

agree38%

disagree11%

strongly disagree11%

Don't know3%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree48%

agree41%

disagree5%

strongly disagree2%

don't know4%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree44%

agree43%

disagree6%

strongly disagree5%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree35%

agree46%

disagree8%

strongly disagree9%

don't know3%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree46%

agree49%

disagree1%

strongly disagree1%

don't know2%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree32%

agree58%

disagree2%

strongly disagree2%

don't know5%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree27%

agree44%

disagree13%

strongly disagree4%

don't know12%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes84%

no16%

Top Secondary Schools in Knowsley

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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Halewood Academy

Expected standard

location_on Knowsley, L26 1UU

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All Saints Catholic High School

Expected standard

location_on Knowsley, L33 8XF

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The Prescot School

Requires improvement

location_on Liverpool, L34 3NB

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Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy

Needs attention

location_on Prescot, L35 2XG

emoji_events #5 in LA

Kirkby High School

Good

location_on Liverpool, L32 9PP

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View all schools in Knowsley arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Ranking History & Trajectory

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Knowsley

Halewood Academy

All Saints Catholic High School

The Prescot School

Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy

Kirkby High School