Nottingham Free School
Nottingham, NG5 1EB · Nottingham · secondary school
Check the area around this school
4th 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 — 9.0/10 against 856 of them, against 7.8/10 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 | 61.2 · 83 | 30% | 2.49 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.29 · 72 | 25% | 1.80 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 52.0 · 78 | 10% | 0.78 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Nottingham Free School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 54.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 51.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.29 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally starting from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.3 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Great Big Dance-Off, and This Girl Can. Sports include handball and cross country, while arts offer instrumental lessons, group sessions, and school performances. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 699 pupils against a stated capacity of 626. 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
What specific support is available for pupils aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How accessible are the arts and sports facilities for all students?
What Ofsted said about Nottingham Free School
Overview
Nottingham Free School continues to be a good school, where pupils are proud of their community and feel safe. Leaders maintain high expectations for achievement and behaviour, delivering an ambitious curriculum that helps most pupils articulate complex ideas confidently. However, the report highlights that some pupils, particularly those with special educational needs or weaker reading skills, do not yet receive sufficient support to keep pace with their peers.
Strengths
- Pupils behave well, show respect for others, and feel safe, with bullying being rare and taken seriously by staff.
- The curriculum is carefully planned to help pupils develop complex ideas and link knowledge to new concepts.
- Teachers are subject experts who effectively help pupils understand difficult concepts and use technical vocabulary.
- There is a comprehensive range of enrichment activities, including clubs and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, supporting wider development.
- Leaders engage effectively with staff, responding well to feedback about workload and fostering a culture where staff are proud to work.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure pupils who are not yet fluent readers are quickly taught to read so they can understand materials and learn more rapidly.
- Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities needs to be more effective to help them learn as well as their peers.
- Teachers need to assess pupils’ learning more carefully to prevent gaps in knowledge and understanding.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders working tirelessly to ensure pupils are safe and fostering a culture where concerns are reported and taken seriously.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 52.7 |
| 2024/25 | 51.5 |
| 2025/26 | 52.0 |
| 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 NG5 1EB, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT