SchoolScoresBluecoat Aspley Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 19 · Mixed · Church of England · Sixth form
Part of ARCHWAY LEARNING TRUST
Aspley Lane, Aspley, Nottingham, NG8 5GY
0115 929 7445 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 9 May 2018.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 12 June 2024: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
43 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Nottingham comparisons use the 9 of its 19 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 10 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Nottingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 6th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham. Higher than 38% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 79% | 75% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 7th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham. Higher than 21% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 74% | 76% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 7th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham. Higher than 23% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 63% | 73% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 22 parents whose child had been bullied 3rd highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham. Higher than 66% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 55% | 40% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 39 parents who had raised a concern 4th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham. Higher than 45% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 63% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 7th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham. Higher than 23% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 65%said yes | 69% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Nottingham figures pool parents at the Nottingham schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
186 pupils in this year group.
47% — 7 points above the Nottingham average, and 1 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Nottingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 47% | 40% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 48.6 | 43 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.2 | 3.7 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
187 pupils in this year group.
94% — 6 points above the Nottingham average, and 2 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Nottingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 94% | 88% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 45% | 27% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 16% | 14% | 13% |
| Further education college | 30% | 42% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 94% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
148 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Nottingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C- | C | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 9% | 22% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 32% | 46% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 27.3 | 31.6 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
26 subjects, 333 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 41 | 2% | 15% | 40% |
| Biology | 40 | 0% | 8% | 27% |
| Psychology | 38 | 0% | 3% | 19% |
| Chemistry | 33 | 0% | 3% | 30% |
| Business Studies:Single | 28 | 0% | 14% | 16% |
| Sociology | 27 | 4% | 22% | 20% |
| Economics | 19 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 16 | 0% | 0% | 15% |
| Physics | 16 | 0% | 0% | 31% |
| Government and Politics | 13 | 0% | 15% | 26% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 12 | 0% | 0% | 24% |
| History | 10 | 0% | 20% | 23% |
| English Language | 7 | 0% | 0% | 13% |
| Geography | 7 | 0% | 0% | 23% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: English Literature, Mathematics (Further), Religious Studies, Art and Design (Fine Art), Art and Design (Photography), Design and Technology (Textiles Technology), Italian, Bengali, Chinese, Spanish, Turkish, Urdu.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
222 students in this year group.
83% — 7 points above the Nottingham average, and 4 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Nottingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 83% | 76% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 4% | 7% | 7% |
| Work | 13% | 28% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 88% | 83% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
184 students in this year group.
84% — 22 points above the Nottingham average, and 24 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Nottingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 84% | 62% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 20% | 15% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 82% | 84% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Nottingham. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 187 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 275 |
| Of those, offered a place | 158 (57%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 843 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.7 · 2025: 1.3 · 2026: 1.5
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
Pupils, staff and SEND
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision for autism. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Nottingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 11th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 80% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 42.7% | 43.7%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 5th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 18% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.6% | 1.4%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 14th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 27% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.7% | 14.7%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 88% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 41.7% | 34.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 7th lowest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Lower than 69% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.2% | 8.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 7th lowest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Lower than 54% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 22.6% | 24.8%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Lower than 61% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.7 | 29.7 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 6th lowest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Lower than 54% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 6.2% | 10.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.15% | 0.61% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 9th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 54% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.0 | 17.0 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 11th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 15% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.1 | 10.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 9th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 59% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 15.1% | 15.7%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- Nottingham Girls' Academy 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 43% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Trinity Catholic School A Voluntary Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 59% grade 5+ English and maths
- Ellis Guilford School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 29% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bluecoat Beechdale Academy 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2022 · 21% grade 5+ English and maths
- Take 1 Learning Centre 1.1 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Djanogly City Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 30% grade 5+ English and maths
- Bluecoat Wollaton Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2018), confirmed 2024 · 52% grade 5+ English and maths
- Nottingham High School 1.5 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 72% A*/A at A level
- Fuel 1.5 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
- Nottingham Free School 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2022 · 55% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Bluecoat Aspley Academy's Ofsted rating?
Bluecoat Aspley Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 9 May 2018. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 12 June 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Bluecoat Aspley Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 47% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 1 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Bluecoat Aspley Academy?
65% of the 43 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Bluecoat Aspley Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Bluecoat Aspley Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 275 families put Bluecoat Aspley Academy as their first choice for 187 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 158 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 137798.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.