The National CofE Academy

About The National CofE Academy

The National CofE Academy is clearly a popular choice among local families. In the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 519 applications for 210 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.47. Of those, 254 families put it as their first preference, and 205 of those were offered a place. That level of demand suggests a strong reputation in the Ashfield area. While the school doesn't publish a parent recommendation percentage, the sheer volume of first-choice applications tells its own story. The school is a Church of England secondary for pupils aged 11 to 18, with a current roll of 1,125 students against a capacity of 1,184. Just over a fifth of pupils (21.5%) are eligible for free school meals, which is above the national average and gives a sense of the school's inclusive intake. Martin Brailsford is the headteacher, and the school's most recent Ofsted inspection, in 2023, rated it Good across every category: overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision.

Academically, the school performs solidly against a challenging local backdrop. Its Progress 8 score of 0.04 is above the Nottinghamshire local authority average of -0.11, meaning pupils here make slightly more progress than those in similar schools across the county. The Attainment 8 score sits at 45.9, and 62.1% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths. The EBacc entry rate is 25.2%, with 17% achieving the full EBacc at grade 4 or above. In the sixth form, 71 students took A-levels, achieving an average points per entry of 30.5 (equivalent to a C grade). The best three A-levels averaged a B- grade, and 25% of entries were graded AAB or higher. However, the sixth-form value-added score is -0.21, which is below average, and the progress banding is rated as such. Nationally, the school ranks 1,437th out of 3,141 schools on Progress 8, placing it in the top half of schools, and it ranks 1st out of 7 schools in Ashfield.

The school offers a wide range of facilities, including a swimming pool, theatre, chapel, sports hall, tennis courts, and a sixth-form centre. Sports provision is strong, with rowing, rugby, hockey, and athletics on offer, alongside clubs like the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Model UN, and coding. SEND support is comprehensive, covering autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language communication needs, social and emotional mental health, and physical disabilities, among others. The school is non-boarding and has an official sixth form, so it suits families looking for a through-school option from Year 7 to Year 13. Given its oversubscription, applying as a first preference is essential. It's a good fit for families who want a well-regarded local school with strong facilities and a Christian character, and who are comfortable with a large, inclusive secondary that serves a diverse catchment.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About The National CofE Academy

Helpful Guides for Parents