Nottingham Academy

About Nottingham Academy

Nottingham Academy is a large, mixed, all-through state school in the Nottingham local authority, serving pupils from age 3 to 19. It is one of 21 state secondary schools in the area, only three of which hold an Outstanding Ofsted rating. The school’s most recent inspection graded it as Requires Improvement, placing it well behind the three highest-ranked peers in the local authority: Fernwood School, Nottingham Free School, and The Trinity Catholic School A Voluntary Academy. Fernwood School leads the local rankings with a score of 0.6, followed by Nottingham Free School at 0.29 and The Trinity Catholic School at 0.1. While Nottingham Academy does not appear among these top performers, its all-through structure from early years to sixth form and its non-denominational character make it a distinctive option in the city. The school is led by joint headteachers Jessie Elbaz and Andrew Staszkiewicz.

Academic outcomes for Nottingham Academy are not available in the form of Progress 8 or KS2 SATs data, which makes it difficult to compare its performance against the local authority average Progress 8 score of -0.25. The school’s Requires Improvement rating from Ofsted indicates that inspectors identified weaknesses in the quality of education and pupil outcomes. The inspection framework typically assesses leadership, teaching, behaviour, and personal development, and a Requires Improvement grade means the school has not yet met the standards for a Good rating. Without specific exam results, parents should note that the school is under greater scrutiny than its higher-rated neighbours. However, in a local authority where only three of 21 secondaries are Outstanding, a Requires Improvement rating is not entirely unusual, though it remains a significant concern for families prioritising academic performance.

On a practical level, Nottingham Academy offers an unusually broad range of facilities for a state school, including tennis courts, an astro turf pitch, a sports hall, art studios, an ICT suite, a swimming pool, a sixth form centre, music rooms, a theatre, and a chapel. Sports provision is equally wide, with options from cricket and rugby to rowing and martial arts. The school also runs clubs covering drama, debate, science, eco issues, a newspaper, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. This breadth suggests a school that tries to offer something for everyone, despite its academic rating. With over 2,100 pupils, it is a large, busy environment that may suit families looking for a comprehensive all-through option with strong extracurricular offerings. Admissions are managed by Nottingham City Council, and given the school’s size and rating, it is likely to be less oversubscribed than local favourites like Fernwood School, making it a more accessible choice for families prioritising facilities and activities over headline Ofsted grades.

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