Rushcliffe Spencer Academy

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Part of THE SPENCER ACADEMIES TRUST

Boundary Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 7BW

0115 974 4050 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedNo overall gradeInspected 13 May 2025
Grade 5 or above in English and maths74%England 45% · 2024/25
2nd highest of 21 state secondary schools in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire).
Higher than 93% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils2,039Room for 1,920 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,680 in 2019, 1,849 in 2021, 1,930 in 2022, 2,000 in 2023, 2,014 in 2024, 2,032 in 2025, 2,039 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.0363 for 358 places, September 2026
9th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire).
Higher than 64% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

At the inspection that started on 13 May 2025, 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.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationOutstanding
Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
Personal developmentOutstanding
Leadership and managementOutstanding
Sixth formOutstanding
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

437 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.

Nottingham (Nottinghamshire) comparisons use the 11 of its 21 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 10 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.

StatementThis schoolNottingham (Nottinghamshire)England
My child is happy at this school
Joint 7th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire).
Higher than 25% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
73% 78% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
7th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire).
Higher than 30% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
79% 81% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
5th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire).
Higher than 38% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
73% 72% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 176 parents whose child had been bullied
9th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire).
Higher than 14% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
34% 46% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 364 parents who had raised a concern
9th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire).
Higher than 20% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
55% 62% 76%
My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 113 parents of children with SEND
5th highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire).
Higher than 10% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
34% 42% 68%
I would recommend this school to another parent
8th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire).
Higher than 27% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
68%said yes 72% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 22%). 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 (Nottinghamshire) figures pool parents at the Nottingham (Nottinghamshire) 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.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

297 pupils in this year group.

74% — 27 points above the Nottinghamshire average, and 28 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolNottinghamshireEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 74% 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. 58.1 46.8 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 5.2 4.2 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
40% 50% 60% 70% 80% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 72%This school 2023/24: 75%This school 2024/25: 74% This school England 45% 2022/23 72% 2023/24 75% 2024/25 74%

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.

331 pupils in this year group.

97% — 5 points above the Nottinghamshire average, and 5 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 64%28%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolNottinghamshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 97% 92% 92%
School sixth form 64% 36% 34%
Sixth form college 1% 4% 13%
Further education college 28% 42% 37%
Apprenticeship 2% 5% 3%
Work 1% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
96%97%

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

221 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolNottinghamshireEngland
Average A level grade B C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 35% 25% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 68% 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. 39.7 34.6 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 45 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 39.9This school 2023/24: 38.8This school 2024/25: 39.7 This school England 35 2022/23 39.9 2023/24 38.8 2024/25 39.7

A level subjects, 2024/25

25 subjects, 639 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 78 21% 45% 40%
Biology 68 6% 35% 27%
Chemistry 61 7% 39% 30%
Psychology 58 14% 41% 19%
History 49 2% 22% 23%
Economics 46 4% 39% 26%
Business Studies:Single 44 9% 30% 16%
Sociology 35 0% 9% 20%
Geography 31 6% 39% 23%
Government and Politics 23 9% 26% 26%
Physics 23 22% 43% 31%
English Literature 21 29% 57% 23%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 21 0% 19% 17%
Computer Studies / Computing 13 0% 31% 24%
Mathematics (Further) 13 62% 85% 59%
Media/Film/Tv Studies 12 8% 25% 14%
English Language 9 0% 44% 13%
Art and Design (Fine Art) 7 0% 29% 38%
Spanish 6 17% 33% 34%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Textiles), Drama and Theatre Studies, Music, Religious Studies, Design and Technology (Product Design), Arabic.

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.

205 students in this year group.

87% — 3 points above the Nottinghamshire average, and 8 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolNottinghamshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 87% 84% 79%
Apprenticeship 2% 10% 7%
Work 16% 29% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
88%87%

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.

185 students in this year group.

82% — 19 points above the Nottinghamshire average, and 22 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolNottinghamshireEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 82% 63% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 41% 23% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
90%82%

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 one first-choice application for every place.

Places offered358
Families who put it first363
Of those, offered a place337 (93%)
Families who listed it at all1,057

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.2 · 2025: 1.2 · 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.

Admissions dates and schools in Nottinghamshire

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolNottinghamshireEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
20th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire).
Higher than 9% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
11.3% 25.2%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
16th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire).
Higher than 8% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
0.9% 1.5%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
18th 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
Joint 8th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire).
Higher than 47% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
10.9% 10.4%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
8th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire).
Lower than 65% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
7.5% 8.3%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
5th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire).
Lower than 80% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
16.7% 22.1%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
5th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire).
Lower than 73% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
7.5 30.4 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
6th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire).
Lower than 71% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
4.4% 8.3% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils 0.00% 0.25% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
Joint 4th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire).
Higher than 86% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
18.8 17.5 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
Joint 6th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire).
Higher than 76% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
13.0 12.3 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
Joint 8th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire).
Higher than 50% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
13.3% 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

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Rushcliffe Spencer Academy's Ofsted rating?

At its inspection in 13 May 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.

How did Rushcliffe Spencer Academy do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 74% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 28 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Rushcliffe Spencer Academy?

68% of the 437 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Rushcliffe Spencer Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Rushcliffe Spencer Academy oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 363 families put Rushcliffe Spencer Academy as their first choice for 358 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 337 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

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Page updated 26 September 2026.