Sir John Nelthorpe School

Voluntary controlled school · Secondary, ages 11 to 19 · Mixed · Sixth form

Grammar School Road, Brigg, DN20 8AA

01652 656551 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 2 December 2014; confirmed 2023
Grade 5 or above in English and maths44%England 45% · 2024/25
Joint 5th highest of 14 state secondary schools in North Lincolnshire.
Higher than 49% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils878Room for 870 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 725 in 2019, 748 in 2021, 775 in 2022, 796 in 2023, 830 in 2024, 877 in 2025, 878 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.0145 for 144 places, September 2026
3rd highest of 13 state secondary schools in North Lincolnshire.
Higher than 63% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 2 December 2014.

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 educationGood
Outcomes for pupilsGood
Leadership and managementGood
Sixth formRequires improvement

Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 18 October 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

149 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.

North Lincolnshire comparisons use the 5 of its 14 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 9 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 schoolNorth LincolnshireEngland
My child is happy at this school
1st highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in North Lincolnshire.
Higher than 71% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
89% 78% 88%
My child feels safe at this school
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in North Lincolnshire.
Higher than 71% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
91% 84% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
1st highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in North Lincolnshire.
Higher than 78% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
89% 77% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 52 parents whose child had been bullied
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in North Lincolnshire.
Higher than 80% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
60% 48% 49%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 115 parents who had raised a concern
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in North Lincolnshire.
Higher than 70% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
78% 67% 75%
I would recommend this school to another parent
1st highest of 5 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in North Lincolnshire.
Higher than 80% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
90%said yes 76% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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. North Lincolnshire figures pool parents at the North Lincolnshire 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

133 pupils in this year group.

44% — 2 points above the North Lincolnshire average, and 2 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolNorth LincolnshireEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 44% 42% 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. 46 43.2 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 4.1 3.8 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
30% 40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 42%This school 2023/24: 37%This school 2024/25: 44% This school England 45% 2022/23 42% 2023/24 37% 2024/25 44%

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.

138 pupils in this year group.

93% — 4 points above the North Lincolnshire average, and about the same as the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 14%41%28%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolNorth LincolnshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 93% 89% 92%
School sixth form 14% 4% 34%
Sixth form college 41% 37% 13%
Further education college 28% 39% 37%
Apprenticeship 4% 5% 3%
Work 4% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
96%93%

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

29 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolNorth LincolnshireEngland
Average A level grade D+ C B-
A level exams graded A* or A 6% 5% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 23% 22% 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. 23.4 31.0 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
20 25 30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 29.1This school 2023/24: 26.1This school 2024/25: 23.4 This school England 35 2022/23 29.1 2023/24 26.1 2024/25 23.4

A level subjects, 2024/25

17 subjects, 64 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Psychology 9 0% 0% 19%
English Literature 7 0% 0% 23%
History 7 0% 0% 23%
Business Studies:Single 6 0% 0% 16%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Chemistry, Art and Design, Geography, Biology, English Language, Mathematics, Physical Education / Sports Studies, Physics, Government and Politics, Media/Film/Tv Studies, German, Music, Sociology.

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.

26 students in this year group.

92% — 10 points above the North Lincolnshire average, and 13 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolNorth LincolnshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 92% 82% 79%
Apprenticeship 12% 9% 7%
Work 27% 26% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
81%92%

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.

16 students in this year group.

25% — 31 points below the North Lincolnshire average, and 35 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolNorth LincolnshireEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 25% 56% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 0% 13% 19%

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

2023/242024/25
69%25%

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 North Lincolnshire. 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 offered144
Families who put it first145
Of those, offered a place138 (95%)
Families who listed it at all300

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 1.0 · 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 North Lincolnshire

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolNorth LincolnshireEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
13th highest of 14 state secondary schools in North Lincolnshire.
Higher than 35% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
21.7% 32.0%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
7th highest of 14 state secondary schools in North Lincolnshire.
Higher than 45% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
2.7% 3.3%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
10th highest of 14 state secondary schools in North Lincolnshire.
Higher than 37% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
12.1% 15.4%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
Joint 11th highest of 14 state secondary schools in North Lincolnshire.
Higher than 5% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
1.9% 11.8%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
7th lowest of 14 state secondary schools in North Lincolnshire.
Lower than 54% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
8.1% 8.8%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
5th lowest of 14 state secondary schools in North Lincolnshire.
Lower than 63% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
20.8% 23.9%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
2nd lowest of 14 state secondary schools in North Lincolnshire.
Lower than 61% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
10.7 33.1 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
4th lowest of 14 state secondary schools in North Lincolnshire.
Lower than 60% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
5.6% 9.7% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil 0.11% 0.38% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
10th highest of 14 state secondary schools in North Lincolnshire.
Higher than 35% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
16.1 16.9 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
Joint 10th highest of 14 state secondary schools in North Lincolnshire.
Higher than 19% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
10.3 10.9 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
10th highest of 14 state secondary schools in North Lincolnshire.
Higher than 10% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
6.5% 14.7%* 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

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

Questions parents ask

What is Sir John Nelthorpe School's Ofsted rating?

Sir John Nelthorpe School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 2 December 2014. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 18 October 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.

How did Sir John Nelthorpe School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 44% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 2 points below the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Sir John Nelthorpe School?

90% of the 149 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Sir John Nelthorpe School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Sir John Nelthorpe School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 145 families put Sir John Nelthorpe School as their first choice for 144 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 138 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.