SchoolScoresThe Bulwell Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of CREATIVE EDUCATION TRUST
Hucknall Lane, Nottingham, NG6 8AQ
0115 964 7640 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 12 May 2026 , published 23 June 2026.
In short: 4 expected, 2 needs attention, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
104 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025.
Nottingham comparisons use the 9 of its 19 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.
| Statement | This school | Nottingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 9th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham. Higher than 1% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 28% | 75% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school 9th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham. Higher than 1% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 24% | 76% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 9th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham. Higher than 1% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 20% | 73% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 64 parents whose child had been bullied 9th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham. Higher than 1% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 14% | 40% | 50% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 97 parents who had raised a concern 9th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham. Higher than 2% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 20% | 63% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 9th highest of 9 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Nottingham. Higher than 1% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 10%said yes | 69% | 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. 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
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
188 pupils in this year group.
29% — 10 points below the Nottingham average, and 16 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Nottingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 29% | 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. | 36.1 | 43 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.0 | 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.
189 pupils in this year group.
83% — 5 points below the Nottingham average, and 9 points below 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. | 83% | 88% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 3% | 27% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 7% | 14% | 13% |
| Further education college | 68% | 42% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 2% | 3% |
| Work | 2% | 2% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 88% | 83% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. 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.
32 students in this year group.
75% — 2 points below the Nottingham average, and 5 points below 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. | 75% | 77% | 80% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 6% | 7% |
| Work | 38% | 27% | 28% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2023/24 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.
26 students in this year group.
58% — 7 points below the Nottingham average, and 8 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Nottingham | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 58% | 65% | 66% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 0% | 19% | 24% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2023/24 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 fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 181 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 147 |
| Of those, offered a place | 146 (99%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 199 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.7 · 2025: 0.7 · 2026: 0.8
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 2nd highest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 93% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 53.9% | 43.7%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 11th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 10% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 1.1% | 1.4%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd highest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 89% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 20.8% | 14.7%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 16th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 54% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.8% | 34.1%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 13th lowest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Lower than 14% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 11.0% | 8.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 15th lowest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Lower than 11% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 33.2% | 24.8%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 12th lowest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Lower than 17% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 37.5 | 29.7 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 13th lowest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Lower than 14% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 13.8% | 10.1% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded17 pupils | 1.62% | 0.61% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 98% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 21.2 | 17.0 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 7th highest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 40% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.4 | 10.7 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 18 state secondary schools in Nottingham. Higher than 96% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 30.2% | 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
- Park Vale Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 37% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Oakwood Academy 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 33% grade 5+ English and maths
- Ellis Guilford School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 29% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Holgate Academy 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 20% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Kimberley School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2022 · 50% grade 5+ English and maths
- Nottingham Free School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2022 · 55% grade 5+ English and maths
- Fuel 2.5 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
- Bluecoat Aspley Academy 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024 · 47% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Trinity Catholic School A Voluntary Academy 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 59% grade 5+ English and maths
- The National CofE Academy 2.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Bulwell Academy's Ofsted rating?
The Bulwell Academy was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 12 May 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 4 expected, 2 needs attention, and safeguarding was met.
How did The Bulwell Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 29% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 16 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend The Bulwell Academy?
10% of the 104 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend The Bulwell Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Bulwell Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 147 families put The Bulwell Academy as their first choice for 181 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 146 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 145952.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 1 January 2024 to 6 January 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, After sixth form 2023/24, Going on to university 2023/24.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.