SchoolScoresCarlton Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of REDHILL ACADEMY TRUST
Coningswath Road, Carlton, Nottingham, NG4 3SH
0115 955 0010 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 30 April 2013.
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 10 November 2022: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
224 pupils in this year group.
46% — about the same as the Nottinghamshire average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Nottinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 46% | 47% | 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. | 45.1 | 46.8 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.0 | 4.2 | 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.
206 pupils in this year group.
92% — about the same as the Nottinghamshire average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Nottinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 92% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 35% | 36% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 8% | 4% | 13% |
| Further education college | 41% | 42% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 6% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 92% | 92% |
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
66 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Nottinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C+ | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 24% | 25% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 52% | 51% | 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. | 34.8 | 34.6 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
21 subjects, 178 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 17 | 6% | 12% | 19% |
| Biology | 16 | 13% | 19% | 27% |
| Sociology | 15 | 7% | 33% | 20% |
| History | 14 | 0% | 36% | 23% |
| Mathematics | 14 | 7% | 36% | 40% |
| Chemistry | 12 | 8% | 25% | 30% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 10 | 0% | 30% | 14% |
| Physics | 10 | 0% | 30% | 31% |
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 8 | 13% | 63% | 38% |
| Computer Studies / Computing | 8 | 0% | 0% | 24% |
| Government and Politics | 8 | 0% | 13% | 26% |
| Business Studies:Single | 7 | 0% | 0% | 16% |
| Geography | 7 | 0% | 14% | 23% |
| Art and Design (Photography) | 6 | 17% | 33% | 26% |
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 6 | 0% | 0% | 15% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Spanish, English Literature, Physical Education / Sports Studies, English Language, Mathematics (Further), Art and Design (Graphics).
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.
80 students in this year group.
81% — 3 points below the Nottinghamshire average, and 2 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Nottinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 81% | 84% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 10% | 7% |
| Work | 31% | 29% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 85% | 81% |
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.
59 students in this year group.
56% — 7 points below the Nottinghamshire average, and 4 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Nottinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 56% | 63% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 20% | 23% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 70% | 56% |
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 Nottinghamshire. 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 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 257 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 296 |
| Of those, offered a place | 257 (87%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 662 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.3 · 2025: 1.2 · 2026: 1.2
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 8th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire). Higher than 45% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 25.1% | 25.2%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 9th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire). Higher than 15% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.5% | 1.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 17th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire). Higher than 7% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.2% | 10.7%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 11th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire). Higher than 35% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.6% | 10.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 17th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire). Lower than 38% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.0% | 8.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 17th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire). Lower than 51% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 23.3% | 22.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 16th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire). Lower than 23% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 30.8 | 30.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 17th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire). Lower than 27% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.1% | 8.3% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded11 pupils | 0.80% | 0.25% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 19th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire). Higher than 36% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.2 | 17.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 16th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire). Higher than 45% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.6 | 12.3 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 6th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire). Higher than 63% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 15.7% | 12.6%* | 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.
Nearby secondary schools
- The Wells Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected · 35% grade 5+ English and maths
- Nottingham Academy 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 6 expected · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
- Carlton le Willows Academy 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Inadequate (2022, before conversion) · 70% grade 5+ English and maths
- Arnold Hill Spencer Academy 1.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 52% grade 5+ English and maths
- Christ The King Voluntary Academy 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 52% grade 5+ English and maths
- Jamia Al-Hudaa Residential College 2.0 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
- Hollygirt School 2.0 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Bluecoat Trent Academy 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Nottingham Free School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2022 · 55% grade 5+ English and maths
- Nottingham Girls' High School GDST 2.4 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 48% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Carlton Academy's Ofsted rating?
Carlton Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 30 April 2013. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 10 November 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Carlton Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 46% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, about the same as the England average of 45%.
Is Carlton Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 296 families put Carlton Academy as their first choice for 257 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 257 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 137085.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.