SchoolScoresBracken Lane Primary Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Nursery class
Part of DIVERSE ACADEMIES TRUST
Bracken Lane, Retford, DN22 7EU
01777 705017 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 24 January 2013. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).
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 |
| Leadership and management | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 1 December 2021: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
29 pupils in this year group.
72% — 8 points above the Nottinghamshire average, and 10 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Nottinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 72% | 64% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 14% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 86% | 76% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 79% | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 86% | 76% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 107 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 105 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. 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 Nottinghamshire. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 27 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 27 |
| Of those, offered a place | 27 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 75 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Nottinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 10th highest of 17 state primary schools in Retford. Higher than 40% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 17.6% | 24.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 13th highest of 17 state primary schools in Retford. Higher than 4% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 0.4% | 1.5%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 9th highest of 17 state primary schools in Retford. Higher than 34% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 12.1% | 11.8%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 8th highest of 17 state primary schools in Retford. Higher than 28% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.9% | 12.9%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 17 state primary schools in Retford. Lower than 78% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.1% | 4.9%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 5th lowest of 17 state primary schools in Retford. Lower than 78% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 7.3% | 11.5%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 13th lowest of 17 state primary schools in Retford. Lower than 30% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 2.6 | 1.6 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 11th lowest of 17 state primary schools in Retford. Lower than 31% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.3% | 0.8% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 17 state primary schools in Retford. Higher than 88% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 24.4 | 21.3 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 17 state primary schools in Retford. Higher than 85% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 13.2 | 11.6 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 7th highest of 15 state primary schools in Retford. Higher than 45% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 11.1% | 13.9%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary 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.
Nearby primary schools
- Thrumpton Primary Academy 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 61% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Swithun's CofE Primary Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 needs attention, 1 urgent improvement · 17% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ordsall Primary School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 58% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), confirmed 2024 · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- Carr Hill Primary and Nursery School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 21% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hallcroft Infant and Nursery School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected
- Clarborough Primary School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2011), confirmed 2022 · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- Gamston St Peter's CofE Primary School 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 69% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Bracken Lane Primary Academy's Ofsted rating?
Bracken Lane Primary Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 24 January 2013. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 1 December 2021, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Bracken Lane Primary Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 72% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 10 points above the England average of 62%.
Is Bracken Lane Primary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 27 families put Bracken Lane Primary Academy as their first choice for 27 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 27 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 144526.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.