Da Vinci Academy, Derby
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data. Admissions policy: Non-selective
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 7 months agoReport card - no overall grade (new Ofsted framework from Sep 2024)
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Da Vinci Academy genuinely cares for its pupils and creates a safe, supportive environment where disadvantaged young people feel valued and looked after. The school has successfully improved behaviour and attendance through clear expectations and strong staff support. Leaders are ambitious for all pupils and work hard to remove barriers to learning through tailored support and enrichment activities.
Key Strengths
- Strong improvements in pupil attendance and behaviour through clear strategies and high staff presence
- Excellent safeguarding culture where pupils feel safe and supported
- Inclusive approach with effective support for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND through provisions like the Bridge and Targeted Intervention Room
- Well-structured curriculum that builds knowledge progressively with good practical support including daily breakfast and nutritious meals
- Effective careers guidance resulting in fewer pupils at risk of becoming NEET
Areas for Improvement
- Achievement remains significantly below national figures, particularly at end of key stage 4
- Teaching does not consistently adapt lessons to meet pupils' needs, especially for those with SEND
- Assessment is not used reliably enough to identify misconceptions and address knowledge gaps
- Errors in reading, writing, punctuation and spelling often go uncorrected
- Quality of teaching is inconsistent across the school
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - the school has established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, concerns are actively identified and managed, and pupils feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Clubs, trips, events, visits from external speakers and alumni, diversity celebration week, wear your colours day
Da Vinci Academy is an inclusive school serving a predominantly disadvantaged community that has made significant improvements in attendance, behaviour and safeguarding following leadership changes. However, achievement remains too low across many subjects and teaching quality is inconsistent.
At a Glance
60.5%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
21.6
Avg class size
32
Total classes
1 class with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Latest from Da Vinci Academy
From Da Vinci Academy's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
89%
Available places
668 pupils
750 capacity
82 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Derby
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Derby
Admissions Demand - Derby
Places available
3,646
Applications
3,185
Got 1st preference
84.1%
Got preferred school
97.0%
Secondary admissions across Derby (2025/26)
Inspection History(4)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
8.45104%
Overall absence
27.03804%
Persistent absence
736
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
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Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Da Vinci Academy
Breadsall Hill Top Primary School
Roe Farm Primary School
St Giles' Spencer Academy
Beaufort Primary School
Parkview Primary School
Cavendish Close Infant School
Breadsall CofE VC Primary School
Cavendish Close Junior Academy
Derwent Primary School
St Alban's Catholic Voluntary Academy
Showing 10 of 15 linked schools
Nearby Schools
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