Macmillan Academy Review 2026: A Community School Built for Tomorrow

When Macmillan Academy opened its doors in 1989 as one of the first City Technology Colleges in England, it was envisioned as a forward-thinking institution bridging education and industry. That original ambition still pulses through the academy today. Now serving over 1,500 students across an 11-19 age span from its Stockton Road base in Middlesbrough, the school has evolved significantly. The November 2022 Ofsted inspection awarded Good across all five measured domains, including sixth form provision, reflecting consistent achievement in teaching quality, student behaviour, and pastoral care. The academy's position in the middle band for national performance (1,637th out of 4,593 schools for GCSE, FindMySchool ranking) places it as a solid, dependable choice within its local community and across the Teesside region.

The buildings speak to the school's evolution. The original 1989 structures housing English and Mathematics lessons remain, now flanked by modern extensions added in 2006 when the school converted to academy status. That year brought a dedicated Science, Music and Physical Education building, followed by a contemporary reception and dining hall in the early 2000s. Walking the campus, you sense the deliberate construction of learning spaces: specialist areas create a sense of purpose rather than institutional anonymity.

The school's motto, "Inspiring Every Student to Succeed," frames the approach without sentimentality. Staff retention is notably high, with over one-third of current teaching staff originally trained as initial teacher trainees at the academy, creating institutional continuity. Under Headteacher Mrs Rachel Coning, who has led the school since November 2021, there is evident intentionality around student voice, personal development, and academic rigour balanced with broader wellbeing. The atmosphere described by recent inspectors captures students behaving politely and courteously, showing genuine respect for one another.

GCSE Performance

In 2024, the most recent results year available, the school's academic metrics reflect solid middle- performance. The average Attainment 8 score was 47.5, marginally above the English average of 45.9. However, the Progress 8 score of -0.14 indicates that pupils on average make slightly below expected progress from their Key Stage 2 starting points, suggesting variable outcomes across different ability groups. This gap between attainment and progress is the area most requiring attention.

The school ranks 1,637th in England and 2nd within Middlesbrough, placing it squarely in the typical performance band (FindMySchool ranking), meaning performance sits in line with the middle 35% of schools. Around 42% of pupils achieved grades 5 or above in GCSE English and mathematics, a threshold used by universities and employers as an indicator of functional literacy and numeracy. Just under 20% of pupils entered the English Baccalaureate qualification pathway, achieving an average points score of 4.22 compared to the England average of 4.08.

A-Level Performance

The sixth form provides a point of genuine strength. At A-level, 54.3% of grades achieved A*, A, or B, compared to the England average of 47.2%. The school ranks 939th in England in A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking, typical performance band ), with solid representation at higher grades: 7.3% of entries at A*, 17.1% at A, and 29.8% at B. This distribution suggests a sixth form effectively serving students across the attainment spectrum and supporting progression to university. Post-16 completion rates sit at 90.2%, indicating good student persistence through the programme.

The curriculum is described by inspectors as a "major strength," with particular praise for outdoor learning initiatives and a clear skills-development philosophy. The school recognizes diverse pathways to success, offering both traditional A-levels and applied qualifications designed to support students with different learning profiles. Reading has been deliberately prioritized: sixth form reading buddies support younger students, phonics programmes run in the earlier years, and reading strategies are modelled consistently across subject areas.

The school maintains inclusive provision for students with SEND, placing significant importance on ensuring every student achieves their potential. Staff are organised in departmental teams with strong subject knowledge; the library serves as a central learning resource open throughout the school day. Class sizes average 28 in lower years, dropping to smaller A-level sets, which is typical for state schools and allows for more personalized feedback as students progress.

For the 2023-24 leaver cohort (128 students), the destinations align broadly with national patterns. 67% progressed to university, with solid uptake into further education (2%), apprenticeships (6%), and employment (13%). The school's sixth form provision receives explicit praise for ensuring secure next steps, whether in higher education or employment. While specific Oxbridge data is limited in public statements, the school reports that students regularly access Russell Group universities and competitive degree programmes, particularly in vocational areas like health sciences.

The sixth form's diverse offering (A-levels alongside applied qualifications) reflects a genuine commitment to supporting students toward their chosen pathways rather than funnelling everyone toward traditional university routes.

The academy provides a deliberately comprehensive enrichment programme operating across lunch times, after school, and through weekend opportunities.

Sports: Community and Competitive

Physical education is extensive and structurally embedded. The school boasts two large modern sports halls equipped with the latest fixtures, an outdoor ropes course, and a climbing wall. Playing fields provide dedicated space for field sports. The PE Department coordinates up to 100 students representing the academy in sporting fixtures each week, with structured enrichment programmes running during active breaks and lunch times. Competitive pathways develop alongside inclusive participation: football, netball, basketball, badminton, volleyball, and indoor hockey feature prominently. Hockey teams compete in local leagues; rugby, cricket, and tennis take advantage of seasonal opportunities. The school has established a strong reputation within the local Teesside community, hosting matches for external clubs and coaching programmes.

Music and Performance

The Macmillan Academy Theatre, a professional-quality venue, serves as home to dramatic and musical performances throughout the year. The Music Department hosts festive productions, notably a Christmas celebration scheduled annually for December featuring live performances and ensemble work. Sixth form students particularly engage with music through dedicated ensembles and performance opportunities. The theatre doubles as a teaching space and community resource, hosting student productions and external performances. A dedicated Music and PE building, opened in 2006, reflects the school's commitment to these disciplines with proper studios and rehearsal spaces.

Drama and Performance Opportunities

Student-led theatrical productions run throughout the year, utilising the professional theatre space. The drama programme integrates across the secondary and post-16 years, with sixth formers taking leadership roles in production and directing opportunities.

STEM and Technology Initiatives

The school hosts over 20 initial teacher trainee placements annually through partnerships with York Saint John University, Teesside University, Durham University, University of Sunderland, and Northumbria University, reflecting departmental strength across English, mathematics, MFL, science, business, PE, design and technology, and computing. This training responsibility indicates teaching staff expertise. The academy maintains a dedicated IT helpdesk and eleven modern ICT classrooms with current software, supporting computer science curriculum and digital skills development. A specialist ICT room supports lessons and technical support throughout the day.

Clubs and Activities

The school offers structured enrichment across debate, chess, yoga, and skill-based workshops. Annual highlights include whole-school production opportunities, Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions for Year 9 pupils (every student), sports days, and community service initiatives. Post-16 students engage in leadership programmes, community service projects, and specialist guest lecture series: Year 12 students have participated in university-level Ethics Debates at Sunderland University and Sports Experience Days at Teesside University.

Facilities Supporting Learning

The library system comprises two separate libraries operating as central learning hubs. The main library serves the whole academy; a dedicated Post-16 Library provides a focused study environment for sixth form students. A modern Food and Nutrition facility supports practical learning and student catering. The careers centre houses extensive resources for all students, supporting post-16 choices and beyond. Sixth formers have exclusive access to a brand-new, modern spacious common room and café, creating a distinct sixth form environment.

Macmillan Academy is a non-selective community school operating across the Middlesbrough local authority area. Applications for Year 7 entry are coordinated through the local authority's standard admissions process. The school was significantly oversubscribed in 2024, with 3.89 applications for every available place, reflecting strong local demand. Admission priorities follow the standard framework: looked-after children, then distance from the school, with siblings considered throughout.

For sixth form entry, applications are welcomed both from internal students completing Year 11 and from those at other schools. There are no formal entrance requirements beyond the capacity to benefit from a A-level or applied qualifications programme. The school expects applications by the published annual deadline, with interviews possible for borderline cases or those applying from other schools.

The school operates a strong pastoral system with class tutors overseeing small groups (typical for secondary schools) and form tutors maintaining regular contact with students. Behaviour policy explicitly references the school's core values of Respect, Responsibility, and Resilience. Students are described by inspectors as polite, courteous, and showing respect to one another, positive cultural markers. The school takes mental health and emotional wellbeing seriously, with investment in staff training, peer support systems, and a dedicated counselling service integrated into school life.

Safeguarding arrangements are effective and intentional. The school operates a safeguarding culture in which student wellbeing and protection are non-negotiable priorities. Staff receive regular training; there are clear reporting pathways; and students understand how to voice concerns.

The dining hall seats over 400 people and features modern kitchen facilities, providing hot and cold meal choices daily. For sixth formers, a dedicated café offers additional flexibility.

School hours run from 8:50am to 3:20pm for main school, with sixth form following a more flexible schedule reflecting post-16 study patterns. The academy operates Monday through Friday term time, with a standard school calendar aligned to Middlesbrough local authority dates.

The location on Stockton Road, Middlesbrough, is accessible via local bus routes and by car. Parents should verify current transport links via TfL Journey Planner or the academy website for their specific route. The school is urban: situated between Teesside Park and the A66/A19 corridor, within easy reach of major employment and leisure facilities.

The academy allows visitors during the school day and hosts scheduled open events at key transition points (typically October-November for Year 7 admissions, summer for sixth form applications). Contact the school directly for enquiries.

Progress 8 context: The slight negative Progress 8 score (-0.14) warrants consideration. This indicates pupils make marginally below expected progress from their starting points compared to peers in England. For families considering the school, this suggests variation in how well different groups of students are supported to achieve their potential. It merits discussion with the school about how they are addressing this.

Demand and oversubscription: With 3.89 applications per place, entry in Year 7 is competitive. Families relying on proximity to the school should verify current distance data with Middlesbrough local authority, as the situation changes annually. Distance is the main criterion; living nearby does not guarantee a place.

SEND support precision: While the school is genuinely inclusive and explicitly welcomes students with SEND, inspectors identified that "more precision is needed relating to strategies teachers use to support pupils to ensure pupils get the right support." This suggests that whilst provision exists, consistency across teachers in differentiation and targeted support requires attention.

Macmillan Academy is a well-run, inclusive community secondary school with particular strengths in sixth form outcomes, pastoral systems, and the breadth of enrichment on offer. The school's origins as a City Technology College remain visible in its commitment to practical, skills-based learning alongside academic subjects. Results are solid but not exceptional at Key Stage 4, with the sixth form providing genuine momentum toward university and career pathways. Best suited to families in the Middlesbrough area seeking a comprehensive, non-selective secondary education with genuine breadth and a strong post-16 offer. The main consideration is assessing whether the school's particular strengths in pastoral care and sixth form align with your child's needs and aspirations.