Farnborough Spencer Academy
Nottingham, NG11 8JW · Nottingham · secondary school
Check the area around this school
14th 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 — 2.4/10 against 481 of them, against 1.5/10 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 | 32.8 · 20 | 30% | 0.60 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.64 · 10 | 25% | 0.25 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 37.9 · 12 | 10% | 0.12 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Farnborough Spencer Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 41.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 38.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.64 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 (4.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.7 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in 2022.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,005 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,050. 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 steps are taken to improve progress scores for students from similar backgrounds? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating while addressing recent performance data?
What Ofsted said about Farnborough Spencer Academy
Overview
Farnborough Spencer Academy is described as a "warm and happy learning community" where pupils feel safe and valued. The report states that the school has "improved significantly" and provides a "broad, ambitious curriculum" designed to help pupils succeed in education and life.
Strengths
- Pupils treat each other with "respect and kindness" and enjoy "positive relationships with staff who know them well."
- Subject leaders have planned carefully so that pupils’ knowledge "builds steadily from Year 7 to Year 11."
- The school offers a "strong programme of personal development" including extra-curricular activities and opportunities for pupils to serve the community.
- Staff are a "strong team" who feel "well supported by leaders" and value the "high-quality training" provided.
- Effective routines support learning, with lessons beginning with "knowledge-retrieval questions" to help pupils remember previous topics.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure all staff are supported to improve their subject knowledge, as some do not have sufficient expertise to adapt teaching for all pupils.
- Leaders must ensure pupils who need extra help receive phonics support, as the school currently does not teach phonics to those at early stages of reading.
- Leaders must ensure pupils receive support to attend school regularly and on time, as some miss out on learning due to poor attendance and punctuality.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a "culture of care and vigilance" where staff are alert to signs that a pupil may need support.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 33.8 |
| 2024/25 | 38.9 |
| 2025/26 | 37.9 |
| 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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