The Flying High Academy

About The Flying High Academy

The Flying High Academy is a state primary in Mansfield that is comfortably full and clearly in demand. With 437 pupils on roll against a capacity of 480, the school is operating close to its limit, and the oversubscription picture confirms that local families are keen to get in. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 90 applications for 35 places, with exactly 35 first-preference applications — meaning every family who put it as their top choice was offered a place, but the overall ratio of 2.57 applicants per place shows significant competition. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 30.1%, which is notably higher than the national average for primary schools (around 23-24%) and suggests the school serves a community with above-average levels of disadvantage. This context makes the school’s academic performance all the more striking, as it is achieving strong results despite a pupil demographic that typically presents additional challenges.

Academically, The Flying High Academy is performing well above the local average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 76% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Nottinghamshire local authority average of just 61%. This places the school 2nd out of 27 primary schools in Mansfield, and within the top 25% nationally. The school’s ranking score of 76 reflects strong outcomes across the board. In individual subjects, 89% of pupils met the expected standard in maths, 81% in reading, and 85% in writing. At the higher standard, 43% achieved greater depth in maths and 37% in reading. Average scaled scores were 108 in maths and 107 in reading, both comfortably above the national benchmark of 100. The school’s most recent graded Ofsted inspection in 2016 rated it Good overall, with leadership and management judged Outstanding. A subsequent ungraded inspection in 2022 confirmed the school remains Good, with early years provision also rated Good.

The school offers a broad range of facilities including a library, gymnasium, outdoor playground, playing fields, forest school, art studios, ICT suite and a chapel. Sports provision covers dance, gymnastics, tennis, cricket, cross country and swimming, while extracurricular clubs include drama, choir, chess, science club, art club and gardening. For children with additional needs, the school has identified six categories of SEND provision, including support for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, social and emotional mental health needs, speech and language communication needs, physical disability and autistic spectrum disorder. Nursery provision is available for younger children. The school is oversubscribed, so families applying for Reception places should be aware that while all first-preference applicants were offered places in the most recent round, the overall application numbers suggest it is a popular choice. For parents seeking a primary with strong academic outcomes in a challenging context, and a wide range of enrichment opportunities, this school is a strong contender in the Mansfield area.

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