SchoolScoresNottingham Free School
Free school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of NOVA EDUCATION TRUST
The Courtaulds Building, 290 Haydn Road, Nottingham, NG5 1EB
0115 896 4949 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 20 June 2017.
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 | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 9 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
119 pupils in this year group.
55% — 15 points above the Nottingham average, and 9 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Nottingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 55% | 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. | 51.5 | 43 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.8 | 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.
112 pupils in this year group.
92% — 4 points above the Nottingham average, and about the same as 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. | 92% | 88% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 31% | 27% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 21% | 14% | 13% |
| Further education college | 39% | 42% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 0% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 0% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 96% | 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
31 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 | 20% | 22% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 39% | 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. | 31.1 | 31.6 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
20 subjects, 91 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 10 | 0% | 0% | 27% |
| English Literature | 9 | 22% | 33% | 23% |
| Mathematics | 9 | 0% | 0% | 40% |
| Business Studies:Single | 7 | 0% | 14% | 16% |
| Chemistry | 7 | 0% | 14% | 30% |
| Psychology | 7 | 0% | 14% | 19% |
| Religious Studies | 6 | 17% | 33% | 22% |
| Sociology | 6 | 0% | 33% | 20% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Economics, Art and Design (Fine Art), Computer Studies / Computing, Geography, English Language, History, Physical Education / Sports Studies, Arabic, Music, Physics, Russian, Spanish.
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.
23 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 | 0% | 7% | 7% |
| Work | 22% | 28% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 82% | 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.
31 students in this year group.
77% — 15 points above the Nottingham average, and 17 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Nottingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 77% | 62% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 32% | 15% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 70% | 77% |
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 | 120 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 185 |
| Of those, offered a place | 112 (61%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 487 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.5 · 2025: 1.4 · 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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Nottingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 16th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 52% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 27.7% | 43.7%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 10th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 10% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.2% | 1.4%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 16th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 22% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.0% | 14.7%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 13th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 62% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.4% | 34.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Lower than 90% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 5.6% | 8.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Lower than 91% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 12.7% | 24.8%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 4th lowest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Lower than 58% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.6 | 29.7 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 5th lowest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Lower than 57% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.9% | 10.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.15% | 0.61% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 8th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 65% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.5 | 17.0 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 3rd highest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 72% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.8 | 10.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 83% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 21.1% | 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.
Nearby secondary schools
- Fuel 0.1 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
- Bluecoat Trent Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Jamia Al-Hudaa Residential College 0.9 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
- Djanogly City Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 30% grade 5+ English and maths
- Take 1 Learning Centre 1.0 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Hollygirt School 1.1 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI
- Nottingham High School 1.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 72% A*/A at A level
- Nottingham Girls' High School GDST 1.2 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 48% A*/A at A level
- The Wells Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected · 35% grade 5+ English and maths
- Ellis Guilford School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 29% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Nottingham Free School's Ofsted rating?
Nottingham Free School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 20 June 2017. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 9 November 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Nottingham Free School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 55% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 9 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Nottingham Free School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 185 families put Nottingham Free School as their first choice for 120 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 112 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 141010.
- 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.