North Kesteven Academy
Lincoln, LN6 9AG · Lincolnshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
49th of 54 secondary schools in Lincolnshire we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.8/10 against 573 of them, against 0.7/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 2 | 35% | 0.07 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 24.8 · 8 | 30% | 0.23 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.94 · 4 | 25% | 0.09 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 37.5 · 10 | 10% | 0.11 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
North Kesteven Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 23.5% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 37.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 in 2023/24 was -0.94, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally starting from the same point. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (0.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.7 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in May 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
The school offers the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.
Getting in
The published school roll is 587 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,461. 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 starting from lower points? How does the new Ofsted framework affect day-to-day teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about North Kesteven Academy
Overview
The inspection concludes that North Kesteven Academy “requires special measures” because it is “failing to provide an acceptable standard of education” and leaders are not yet demonstrating the capacity to secure necessary improvement. While new leadership has begun addressing significant failings, particularly in safeguarding, “substantial improvement is still required” to ensure pupils are safe and achieving well. The report highlights that “current weaknesses place pupils at risk of harm” and that many pupils are not well prepared for their next steps.
Strengths
- Pupils, particularly those with complex needs, are “well supported through the relationships that staff build with them and their families.”
- Behaviour has improved significantly, with lessons described as “calm” and pupils following routines; new mobile phone procedures have positively impacted wellbeing.
- The strategy to support disadvantaged pupils has improved, with additional funding spent wisely to help overcome barriers to achievement.
- Pupils are “knowledgeable about issues of equality” and speak confidently about diversity, fairness, and kindness.
- The school offers “effective careers advice and guidance,” which is identified as an area to celebrate.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure safeguarding procedures are “sufficiently rigorous” and that records of actions taken follow statutory guidance to protect pupils from harm.
- Teaching effectiveness varies; leaders must ensure teachers “routinely adapt learning” for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, and that errors in foundational skills are addressed.
- Leaders and trustees must improve oversight of improvement priorities and ensure attendance, particularly for persistently absent vulnerable pupils, rises to acceptable levels.
Safeguarding
The report states that safeguarding standards are not met, noting that leaders have not ensured an “open and positive culture around safeguarding that adequately protects children from harm” and that procedures are not implemented consistently enough to keep pupils safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 33.7 |
| 2024/25 | 37.9 |
| 2025/26 | 37.5 |
| 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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