The Dorcan Academy
St Paul's Drive, Covingham, Swindon, SN3 5DAOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
The Dorcan Academy is a secondary school in Swindon for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 90 schools in Swindon. It ranks 8th of 16 secondary schools in Swindon. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in July 2022.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 12 July 2022, report published 8 September 2022
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 12 July 2022
Pupils feel safe and welcome at The Dorcan Academy. They have warm relationships with staff who they know want the best for them. Leaders expect all members of the school community to be kind, show respect and work hard. Most do. Leaders' high aspirations are evident in the ambitious curriculum and the positive school environment. There is a calm and purposeful atmosphere in which pupils can focus on learning. Behaviour in lessons and around the school is good. Pupils listen to one another courteously. They are considerate of their peers. Bullying is not common. It is usually dealt with well when it is reported to staff. However, there are incidents that are not reported and so action cannot be taken. Pupils can try new activities and develop their existing interests. Sporting clubs encourage those who play for fun as well as those who are keen to compete. Leaders ensure that pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who are disadvantaged can take part in these. Pupils appreciate the range of opportunities that they have. Many of them take part in extra-curricular activities.
What the school should improve
- Some parents and pupils are not confident that all concerns they raise are dealt with effectively. This means that some concerns persist. Leaders need to build the confidence of parents and pupils that their concerns are acted on.
- Some pupils with SEND do not always receive the support they need. This means that they do not always make as much progress as they could. Leaders need to make sure that the support given meets the needs of all pupils.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
163 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
881 pupils on roll, with places for 1,234
Schools near The Dorcan Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawn Manor Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 37.5 |
| St Joseph's Catholic College | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 38.0 |
| Kingsdown School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 41.4 |
| The Commonweal School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 46.3 |
| UTC Swindon | 3 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | Attainment 8: 32.4 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- THE DORCAN ACADEMY
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Mr Lee Morgans
- Phone
- 01793525231
- Address
- St Paul's Drive, Covingham, Swindon, SN3 5DA
- Local authority
- Swindon
- URN
- 137684
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.