Quarrydale Academy

About Quarrydale Academy

Quarrydale Academy is a mixed secondary school in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, that currently holds a Requires Improvement rating from Ofsted following its most recent inspection in 2025. The school’s academic story is most clearly told through its Progress 8 score of -0.56, which is well below the national average and places it 38th out of 46 similar schools in the local authority. This metric measures how much progress pupils make from the end of primary school to the end of secondary school, and a negative score indicates that, on average, students achieve less than expected. The school’s Attainment 8 score sits at 38.4, and just 32.7% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths. In the local authority, the average Progress 8 score is -0.11, meaning Quarrydale’s results are significantly behind the typical school in Nottinghamshire. The school is also ranked 6th out of 7 schools in the Ashfield area specifically, and 2688th nationally out of 3141 schools.

At Key Stage 5, the sixth form provision was also rated Requires Improvement in the 2025 inspection, with a value-added score of -0.07 and an average points per entry of 31, which equates to a grade C. The best three A-levels averaged a grade C as well, with 31.54 points. Only 3.8% of students achieved AAB or higher in at least two facilitating subjects. The sixth form has 53 pupils, and the progress banding is described as average, though the overall picture is mixed. In the Parent View survey, which ran from September 2024 to September 2025, 51% of the 137 respondents said they would recommend the school. On the question of whether their child does well at the school, 70% agreed or strongly agreed, but only 47% agreed that their child is happy. Behaviour and attitudes were a particular concern, with 55% of parents disagreeing or strongly disagreeing that the school ensures pupils are well behaved. The school is oversubscribed for Year 7 entry in 2025/26, with 399 applications for 225 places and 207 first-preference offers, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.77.

Quarrydale Academy has a range of facilities including a swimming pool, sports hall, astro turf, tennis courts, a theatre, and a sixth form centre. It offers a broad selection of sports such as hockey, netball, rugby, and cricket, plus clubs like coding, eco club, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The school’s SEND provisions cover a wide spectrum, including support for autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language needs, and social, emotional and mental health difficulties. With 35.8% of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a relatively disadvantaged community. This is a school that parents may choose for its location and facilities, but the academic outcomes and Ofsted rating suggest it is still working through significant challenges. It may suit families who value the range of extracurricular activities and on-site amenities, but who are prepared to engage closely with the school on behaviour and academic progress. The sixth form offers a continuation route for existing students, though outcomes there are also modest.

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