Droylsden Academy, Manchester

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are incredibly proud to lead a strong, successful school where students are able to belong and thrive. Our staff are driven by the belief that every child should go to a great school and we believe that every child can become a great learner through politeness, hard work and honesty."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, tennis, dance, drama, choir, chess, STEM, gardening and photography.

In 2026, pupils at Droylsden Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 47.7, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 44.4 in Tameside and 47 across England.

50% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 43% in Tameside and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 47.7.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.14: pupils made above 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 39.2, against 52 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 12.8 points.

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

For September 2026 entry, 199 families put Droylsden Academy as their first choice and 490 named it as one of their preferences, for 181 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 31 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Droylsden Academy are Fairfield High School for Girls (0.6 miles, Good, Attainment 8 52.5); Wright Robinson College (1.1 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 52.2); Laurus Ryecroft (1.2 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 51.1); and The East Manchester Academy (1.6 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 46.2).

Droylsden Academy's 2026 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Droylsden Academy is one of 3 schools run by Tame River Educational Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 179 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 77% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 44% to a further education college, 3% to an apprenticeship and 3% into work.

39.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 224 pupils (24.2%) received SEN support and 57 (6.2%) 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 tram or metro stop is Cemetery Road (Manchester Metrolink), about 290 metres away (roughly a 4-minute walk).

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Sunnybank Road (opposite), 90 metres away.

In 2024/25, Droylsden Academy issued 325 suspensions, 34.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 3 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Droylsden Academy are Manchester Road Primary Academy (0.2 miles); Greenside Primary School (0.3 miles); Fairfield Road Primary School (0.4 miles); and St Stephen's RC Primary School, a Voluntary Academy (0.5 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.