The Dorcan Academy, Swindon

In its own words: "At The Dorcan Academy, we believe that every young person, regardless of their background, has the potential to achieve greatness. Through a rich, ambitious and inclusive curriculum, we provide students with the knowledge, skills and experiences they need to succeed in further education, employment and life."

From the headteacher's welcome: "It is my honour and privilege to be the Headteacher of The Dorcan Academy. The Academy is a special place: a community school where students and staff come together as one team, creating exceptional experiences and opportunities for all. Our staff are relentlessly committed and prepared to go the extra mile for our enthusiastic students."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include drama, coding, STEM, Duke of Edinburgh and cadets.

In 2026, pupils at The Dorcan Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 43.2, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 45 in Swindon and 47 across England.

39% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 44% in Swindon and 47% in England.

That is down from 44.3 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.39: 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 34.2, against 46.3 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 12.1 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 23 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Geography and Business Studies.

For September 2026 entry, 187 families put The Dorcan Academy as their first choice and 318 named it as one of their preferences, for 170 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 20 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state secondary schools to The Dorcan Academy are Lawn Manor Academy (1.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 41.5); St Joseph's Catholic College (1.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 46.2); Kingsdown School (2.5 miles, Good, Attainment 8 41.9); and The Commonweal School (2.6 miles, Good, Attainment 8 45.1).

The Dorcan Academy's 2026 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Of the 143 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 80% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 66% to a further education college, 4% to an apprenticeship and 7% into work.

11% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (78%) and Asian (5%).

In 2026, 255 pupils (28.9%) received SEN support and 20 (2.3%) 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 Swindon Rail Station, about 2.4 miles away in a straight line.

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St Ambrose Close (w-bound), 180 metres away.

In 2024/25, The Dorcan Academy issued 679 suspensions, 76.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 5 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to The Dorcan Academy are Covingham Park Primary School (0.4 miles), Eldene Nursery and Primary School (0.5 miles), Holy Family Catholic Primary School (0.5 miles) and Nythe Primary School (0.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.