Magnus Church of England Academy
Newark, NG24 4AB · Nottinghamshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
39th of 45 secondary schools in Nottinghamshire 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 — 4.0/10 against 421 of them, against 2.3/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 36.6 · 29 | 46% | 1.32 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.5 · 16 | 38% | 0.61 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 40.4 · 22 | 15% | 0.33 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Magnus Church of England Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 20.8% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 35.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.5 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, 0.9 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join football, rowing, rugby, and netball teams, perform in Frozen Jr!, and access a breakfast club. The school also runs the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme.
Getting in
The published school roll is 678 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 the current Attainment 8 score and the national median? What specific support is available for students who need to improve their Progress 8 scores? How does the breakfast club integrate with the wider pastoral care for secondary students?
What Ofsted said about Magnus Church of England Academy
Overview
The report describes Magnus Church of England Academy as a school with a ‘family feel’ where pupils are ‘seen and supported as an individual’. While behaviour, personal development, and sixth-form provision are rated ‘Good’, the quality of education and leadership are judged to ‘Require improvement’ due to inconsistent teaching practices.
Strengths
- Pupils exhibit ‘polite and respectful’ behaviour, benefiting from ‘warm’ relationships with staff that help them feel safe.
- The curriculum is ‘ambitious’ and well-designed, with a broad range of subjects and enrichment opportunities like sports and the Combined Cadet Force.
- Sixth-form provision is ‘Good’, with teachers providing ‘individualised feedback and support’ in small classes, leading to strong student achievement.
- Personal development is robust, ensuring pupils are ‘well prepared for life beyond school’ through a strong careers programme and focus on equality.
- Attendance is ‘improving’ due to prioritised actions, allowing pupils to ‘benefit more fully from the school’s wider offer’.
Areas to improve
- Teachers must ‘check pupils’ understanding systematically’ to close knowledge gaps, as they currently often ‘move on before all pupils are ready’.
- Teaching must be ‘adjusted effectively’ for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) to ensure they make consistent progress.
- The school and trust must ensure high expectations for teaching are ‘translated into practice securely well’, as curriculum implementation remains variable.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 36.2 |
| 2024/25 | 35.7 |
| 2025/26 | 40.4 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of NG24 4AB, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT