Buxton Community School, Buxton

In its own words: "Buxton Community School prides itself on being at the heart of the community and its ability to meet the needs of all learners, regardless of ability or background. We currently have approximately 1000 students on roll, including a sixth form of around 142."

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are proud to be part of the Embark Federation , a family of schools across Derbyshire united by a shared belief: by working together, we can create schools that truly stand out at the heart of their communities. Our trust is built on four core values: Family | Integrity | Teamwork | Success These values underpin everything we do."

On phones, the school says: "Mobile phones and devices must not be used to contact parents if the student feels unwell."

In 2026, pupils at Buxton Community School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 42.1, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 45.2 in Derbyshire and 47 across England.

33% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 44% in Derbyshire and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 41.6.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.47: pupils made below average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 35.8, against 44.4 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 8.6 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 24 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 114 families put Buxton Community School as their first choice and 189 named it as one of their preferences, for 123 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Buxton Community School are St Thomas More Catholic Voluntary Academy (0.9 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 42.1); and Chapel-en-le-Frith High School (4.7 miles, Good, Attainment 8 48.9).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than Buxton Community School.

Buxton Community School is one of 29 schools run by Embark Multi Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 182 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 85% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 47% to a further education college, 10% to an apprenticeship and 1% into work.

Of the 76 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 43% went on to university or other higher education, 4% to apprenticeships and 21% into work. 19% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

1.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 95 pupils (10%) received SEN support and 38 (4%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Buxton Rail Station, about 0.8 miles away in a straight line.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is School College Road (adjacent), 130 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Buxton Community School stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 115 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Derbyshire (50), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Buxton Community School issued 266 suspensions, 25.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 3 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Buxton Community School are Buxton Junior School (0.3 miles), Burbage Primary School (0.5 miles), Buxton Infant School (0.6 miles) and Harpur Hill Primary School (0.7 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.