Mercia Academy

Secondary
Academy
Ages 11 to 16

Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good

Sunnyside, Newhall, Swadlincote, DE11 0TLOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Mercia Academy is a secondary school in Swadlincote for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 449 schools in Derbyshire. It ranks 43rd of 45 secondary schools in Derbyshire. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in July 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 1 July 2025, report published 16 September 2025

This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.

Quality of education: Requires improvement
Behaviour and attitudes: Good
Personal development: Good
Leadership and management: Good
Safeguarding: Met

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

112 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score32.6

32.6, 13.5 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths23.2%

23.2%, 22.2 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths36.6%

36.6%, 28.2 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc5.4%

5.4%, 35.1 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score2.64

2.64, 1.45 below the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

592 pupils on roll, with places for 750

Eligible for free school meals48.3%

48.3%, 21.8 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language3%

3%, 18.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support25.3%

25.3%, 10.5 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan3.5%

3.5%, 2.5 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Mercia Academy

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
The Pingle Academy	0.8 miles	Report card: Needs attention to expected standard	Attainment 8: 39.2
Blessed Robert Sutton Catholic Voluntary Academy	2 miles	Ofsted: Outstanding	Attainment 8: 46.7
Paulet High School	2 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 41.0
Granville Academy	2 miles	Ofsted judgements: Good	Attainment 8: 46.5
Abbot Beyne School	2 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 39.4

School details

School type: Academy sponsor led
Sector: Academy
Trust: LIONHEART EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Age range: 11 to 16
Gender: Mixed
Sixth form: No
Headteacher: Mr Nick Holmes
Phone: 01283216404
Website: merciaacademy.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
Address: Sunnyside, Newhall, Swadlincote, DE11 0TL
Local authority: Derbyshire
URN: 149380

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.