Bluecoat Beechdale Academy
Nottingham, NG8 3GP · Nottingham · secondary school
Check the area around this school
17th of 19 secondary schools in Nottingham we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 1.7/10 against 145 of them, against 0.6/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 20.0 · 4 | 30% | 0.11 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.67 · 9 | 25% | 0.23 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 36.6 · 8 | 10% | 0.08 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Bluecoat Beechdale Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 21.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 34.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.67 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (1.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.6 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in 2022.
Getting in
The published school roll is 887 pupils against a stated capacity of 900. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific strategies are used to improve progress scores for students with similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about Bluecoat Beechdale Academy
Overview
Bluecoat Beechdale Academy is described as a "happy, caring school" where pupils feel safe and staff are proud of their work. The inspection confirms that the school continues to be good, with leaders having established a strong culture of belonging and self-belief.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "ambitious," offering a wide variety of subjects and opportunities for cultural understanding.
- Staff are "well-trained" and provide effective support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
- There is a "whole-school approach to teaching reading," with effective support for those needing help.
- Pupils are "friendly and polite," with bullying being rare and dealt with swiftly.
- Leaders have created a "strong culture of safeguarding" with highly effective partnerships with external agencies.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, the curriculum is not consistently well delivered, leading to variable quality of pupils’ work.
- The delivery of the PSHE curriculum is not yet consistently effective, and not all pupils value the provision.
- Some pupils’ attendance remains low, requiring continued engagement with parents and carers.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with staff and pupils contributing to a strong culture where pupils learn to keep themselves and others safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 32.4 |
| 2024/25 | 34.0 |
| 2025/26 | 36.6 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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