Hillocks Primary Academy

About Hillocks Primary Academy

Hillocks Primary Academy received a Requires Improvement rating from Ofsted in its most recent graded inspection in 2023, a step up from the Inadequate rating it was given in 2019. The school’s academic outcomes tell a mixed story. At Key Stage 2, just 37% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is well below the Nottinghamshire local authority average of 61%. This places Hillocks 27th out of 30 primary schools in Ashfield and in the bottom 50 nationally. However, the picture is not uniformly weak. In writing, 61% of pupils met the expected standard, and in reading the figure was 56%, both closer to the national benchmark. Maths was the weakest core subject, with only 44% reaching the expected level and an average scaled score of 98. The proportion of pupils achieving the higher standard in all three subjects was just 2%, and no subject saw more than 15% of pupils reach that higher threshold.

The Ofsted breakdown offers some nuance. While overall effectiveness and the quality of education are rated Requires Improvement, the school was judged Good for personal development and for behaviour and attitudes. Leadership and management also received a Good rating, which suggests that the direction of travel since the previous Inadequate judgement is positive. The early years provision remains Requires Improvement, which is notable given that the school has a nursery. Progress scores for reading, writing and maths are not available in the data, so it is difficult to assess how much value the school adds relative to pupils’ starting points. The school has 293 pupils against a capacity of 329, and a high proportion — 51.5% — are eligible for free school meals, which is significantly above the national average and likely a factor in the school’s overall attainment profile.

Hillocks offers a broad range of facilities including a gymnasium, ICT suite, art studios, a sensory room, a forest school and a library. Sports provision covers netball, athletics, gymnastics, dance, football, cross country and tennis, and there are clubs for eco, film and coding. The school has a strong SEND offer, with provisions for specific learning difficulties, speech and language needs, hearing and visual impairments, physical disabilities, autistic spectrum disorder and social, emotional and mental health support. For the 2025/26 intake, the school was oversubscribed: 54 applications for 28 places, with all 28 first-preference applicants receiving an offer. This suggests that despite the academic challenges, the school is valued locally, particularly by families who need its inclusive SEND support or its nursery provision. It would suit parents prioritising a supportive, well-resourced environment over headline exam results.

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