Farnborough Spencer Academy
About Farnborough Spencer Academy
Farnborough Spencer Academy is a secondary school in Nottingham that receives more first-choice applications than it has places, though only just. For entry in 2025/26, the school received 174 applications for 170 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.02. Of those, 139 were first-preference applications, and all 139 received offers. That suggests a modest but genuine local demand, though the school is not heavily oversubscribed. The school does not publish a Parent View satisfaction score, so it is not possible to say how current families rate their experience. What is clear is that the school serves a community with significant disadvantage: 41.1 per cent of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average. The headteacher is Graeme Smith, and the school is a mixed, non-denominational state secondary for pupils aged 11 to 16, with no sixth form.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
21 Sept 2022Source: Ofsted, 16 Oct 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
15Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Farnborough Spencer Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications