SchoolScoresDovecote Primary and Nursery School
Community school · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Nursery class
Greencroft, Clifton, Nottingham, NG11 8EY
0115 915 2953 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 15 October 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
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 | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Early years | Requires improvement |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
21 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Nottingham comparisons use the 34 of its 73 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 39 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 Joint 20th highest of 34 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham. Higher than 14% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86% | 90% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 16th highest of 34 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham. Higher than 22% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 89% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 32nd highest of 34 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham. Higher than 4% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 62% | 85% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 12 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 11th highest of 18 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham. Higher than 36% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50% | 52% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 17 parents who had raised a concern Joint 23rd highest of 27 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham. Higher than 2% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 47% | 77% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 29th highest of 34 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham. Higher than 7% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 67%said yes | 85% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 7%). 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
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
52 pupils in this year group.
27% — 34 points below the Nottingham average, and 35 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Nottingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 27% | 61% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 0% | 6% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 50% | 72% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 60% | 71% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 33% | 72% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 100 | 104 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 96 | 104 | 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 Nottingham. 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 | 17 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 16 |
| Of those, offered a place | 16 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 28 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.9
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 | Nottingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 17th highest of 73 state primary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 89% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 48.6% | 38.5%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 32nd highest of 73 state primary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 20% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.6% | 1.6%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 10th highest of 73 state primary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 82% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 20.4% | 15.0%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 57th highest of 73 state primary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 73% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 24.8% | 39.8%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 65th lowest of 73 state primary schools in Nottingham. Lower than 7% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 7.4% | 5.8%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 38th lowest of 73 state primary schools in Nottingham. Lower than 26% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 16.3% | 15.9%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 63rd lowest of 72 state primary schools in Nottingham. Lower than 11% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 6.4 | 3.0 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 69th lowest of 72 state primary schools in Nottingham. Lower than 7% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 3.5% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 37th highest of 73 state primary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 47% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 20.4 | 20.2 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 62nd highest of 73 state primary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 21% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 9.0 | 10.3 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 7th highest of 72 state primary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 84% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 25.6% | 12.5%* | 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
- The Glapton Academy 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 72% met expected standard (KS2)
- Blessed Robert Widmerpool Catholic Primary and Nursery School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022) · 75% met expected standard (KS2)
- Whitegate Primary and Nursery School 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2021) · 66% met expected standard (KS2)
- The Milford Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 expected, 6 needs attention · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Highbank Primary and Nursery School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2023 · 73% met expected standard (KS2)
- Trent Vale Infant School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025
- Beeston Rylands Junior School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 76% met expected standard (KS2)
- Greythorn Primary School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024 · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Heymann Primary and Nursery School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 66% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Peter's CofE Junior School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2025: 5 strong, 1 expected · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Dovecote Primary and Nursery School's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 15 October 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did Dovecote Primary and Nursery School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 27% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 35 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Dovecote Primary and Nursery School?
67% of the 21 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Dovecote Primary and Nursery School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Dovecote Primary and Nursery School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 16 families put Dovecote Primary and Nursery School as their first choice for 17 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 16 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 134841.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- 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.