SchoolScoresRetford Oaks Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of DIVERSE ACADEMIES TRUST
Babworth Road, Retford, DN22 7NJ
01777 861618 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 6 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 | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 11 May 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
192 pupils in this year group.
29% — 18 points below the Nottinghamshire average, and 17 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Nottinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 29% | 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. | 40.1 | 46.8 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.2 | 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.
188 pupils in this year group.
85% — 7 points below the Nottinghamshire average, and 7 points below 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. | 85% | 92% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 34% | 36% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 7% | 4% | 13% |
| Further education college | 35% | 42% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 5% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 88% | 85% |
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
50 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 | 15% | 25% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 26% | 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. | 27.1 | 34.6 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
16 subjects, 111 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Studies:Single | 19 | 0% | 0% | 16% |
| Sociology | 15 | 0% | 7% | 20% |
| Psychology | 10 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| Biology | 9 | 11% | 22% | 27% |
| Mathematics | 8 | 0% | 50% | 40% |
| Chemistry | 7 | 0% | 57% | 30% |
| English Literature | 7 | 0% | 14% | 23% |
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 7 | 0% | 0% | 14% |
| English Language | 6 | 0% | 0% | 13% |
| History | 6 | 0% | 33% | 23% |
| Law | 6 | 0% | 17% | 17% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Drama and Theatre Studies, Geography, Art and Design (Photography), Physics, Art and Design (Fine Art).
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.
45 students in this year group.
82% — 2 points below the Nottinghamshire average, and 3 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. | 82% | 84% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 2% | 10% | 7% |
| Work | 36% | 29% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 83% | 82% |
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.
45 students in this year group.
40% — 23 points below the Nottinghamshire average, and 20 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Nottinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 40% | 63% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 2% | 23% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 61% | 40% |
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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 174 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 150 |
| Of those, offered a place | 150 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 520 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.7 · 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 | Nottinghamshire | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 11th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Nottinghamshire. Higher than 63% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 32.5% | 25.2%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 27th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Nottinghamshire. Higher than 13% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.3% | 1.5%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 6th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Nottinghamshire. Higher than 67% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 16.1% | 10.7%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 30th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Nottinghamshire. Higher than 28% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.1% | 10.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 36th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Nottinghamshire. Lower than 28% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.7% | 8.3%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 37th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Nottinghamshire. Lower than 22% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 29.3% | 22.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 11th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Nottinghamshire. Lower than 67% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 8.9 | 30.4 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 17th lowest of 45 state secondary schools in Nottinghamshire. Lower than 57% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.9% | 8.3% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.25% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 42nd highest of 45 state secondary schools in Nottinghamshire. Higher than 15% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 14.9 | 17.5 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 31st highest of 45 state secondary schools in Nottinghamshire. Higher than 47% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.7 | 12.3 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 15th highest of 45 state secondary schools in Nottinghamshire. Higher than 53% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 13.8% | 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 Elizabethan Academy 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 36% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Retford Oaks Academy's Ofsted rating?
Retford Oaks Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 6 June 2017. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 11 May 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Retford Oaks Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 29% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 17 points below the England average of 45%.
Is Retford Oaks Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 150 families put Retford Oaks Academy as their first choice for 174 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 150 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 137117.
- 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.