Brierley Forest Primary and Nursery School

About Brierley Forest Primary and Nursery School

Brierley Forest Primary and Nursery School is a state primary in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, and the numbers tell a story of a school that families are keen to get into despite some serious challenges. For the 2025/26 intake, the school was oversubscribed with 52 applications for just 19 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.74. All 19 first-preference applicants were offered a place, which suggests that for local families who really want it, there is a good chance of getting in. However, the school does not have a published parent recommendation percentage, so we cannot report how current parents feel about their experience. With 279 pupils on roll against a capacity of 420, the school is running well below its potential size, and a high proportion of pupils — 45.7 per cent — are eligible for free school meals, which is significantly above the national average and points to a community with considerable socioeconomic need.

Academically, the picture is difficult. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in November 2021, Brierley Forest was rated Inadequate overall, with every inspected category — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, leadership and management — also rated Inadequate. The early years provision was judged as Requires improvement, and personal development was also Requires improvement. This represents a decline from the previous inspection in 2018, when the school was rated Requires improvement overall. At Key Stage 2, the school’s results are well below local averages. Just 24 per cent of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with the Nottinghamshire local authority average of 61 per cent. In reading, 33 per cent reached the expected standard; in writing, 43 per cent; and in maths, 45 per cent. Only 6 per cent of pupils achieved a higher standard in reading or writing, and none did so in maths. The school ranks 29th out of 30 primary schools in Ashfield, placing it in the bottom 50 nationally.

On the practical side, Brierley Forest offers a broad range of facilities including playing fields, an ICT suite, art studios, a library, a sensory room, music rooms, a gymnasium, sports hall and a chapel. Sports provision includes tennis, athletics, swimming, dance, gymnastics and cricket, and there is a decent selection of clubs such as drama, film club, choir, eco club, science club and gardening. The school has a nursery provision for children from age three, and its SEND support is extensive, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, hearing and visual impairments, physical disability and autistic spectrum disorder. For families who are concerned about the current Ofsted rating, the nearest outstanding-rated primary is Mapplewells Primary and Nursery School, just 1.5 kilometres away. Brierley Forest will suit families who value a strong SEND offer and a wide range of enrichment activities, and who are prepared to work with the school as it seeks to improve from a very low base.

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