Dunkirk Primary and Nursery School

About Dunkirk Primary and Nursery School

Dunkirk Primary and Nursery School sits comfortably above the Nottingham local authority average for Key Stage 2 outcomes, with 78% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined against a LA average of 60%. That 18-point gap places the school in the top 25% nationally and 7th out of 74 primary schools in the city. The school’s ranking score of 78 puts it just behind the top three in Nottingham, which includes St Teresa’s Catholic Primary and Edna G. Olds Academy. What stands out is that Dunkirk achieves these results with a pupil intake where 34.8% qualify for free school meals, well above the national average, suggesting strong value-add from the teaching staff. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in June 2024 confirmed it remains Good, with leadership and management, early years provision, and overall effectiveness all rated Good. This is a notable step down from its 2012 Outstanding rating, but the ungraded inspection found no reason to change the overall judgement.

Looking more closely at the 2023/24 exam data, the school’s strength lies in reading and maths, where 86% of pupils met the expected standard in each subject, and average scaled scores of 108 in both are above the national benchmark of 100. Higher standard attainment is more modest, with 16% reaching the higher bar in reading, writing and maths combined, though 42% achieved higher in maths and 46% in reading. Writing is the relative weak spot, with 78% at expected and only 16% at higher, which is in line with national patterns. The school does not publish Progress 8 scores for primary, but the combination of above-average attainment and a high FSM cohort suggests effective classroom practice. Ofsted’s breakdown shows early years provision is Good, and the school has a nursery for three-year-olds, giving families a continuous route from age three through to Year 6. There is no sixth form, as expected for a primary.

Dunkirk is oversubscribed, with 60 applications for 38 places in 2025/26 and 26 first-preference offers, giving a ratio of 1.58 applicants per place. That level of demand reflects its strong local reputation. The school offers a broad range of facilities including a sports hall, music rooms, art studios, an ICT suite and a library, plus a chapel on site. Sports include athletics, swimming, netball and gymnastics, and clubs range from gardening and film club to coding and chess. SEND provision is comprehensive, covering dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional mental health, speech and language needs, physical disability, autism and other difficulties. This makes it a strong option for families in Nottingham who want a well-performing state primary with inclusive support, particularly those whose children are strong in maths and reading but may need extra help in writing or with specific learning needs.

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