Outwood Academy Kirkby
Nottingham, NG17 7DH · Nottinghamshire · secondary school
Check the area around this school
38th 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 — 4.8/10 against 353 of them, against 2.6/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 33.7 · 22 | 46% | 1.01 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.22 · 33 | 38% | 1.28 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 40.5 · 22 | 15% | 0.34 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Outwood Academy Kirkby overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 33.7% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 36.1, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 in 2023/24 was -0.22, 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 (4.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 523 pupils against a stated capacity of 692. 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 interventions are in place for students who are behind on progress?
What Ofsted said about Outwood Academy Kirkby
Overview
Outwood Academy Kirkby is described as a school where pupils are "well cared for" and enjoy "good relationships with staff." While the curriculum has been strengthened significantly, leading to improving achievement, the report notes that a minority of pupils disrupt learning through poor behaviour and high suspension rates.
Strengths
- The curriculum is "broad and ambitious," with important knowledge "sequenced appropriately" in most subjects to help pupils build on prior learning.
- Teachers use "specialist subject knowledge to explain concepts clearly" and check understanding carefully, particularly in the majority of classrooms.
- Staff identify the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) "quickly and accurately," ensuring these pupils "achieve well."
- Reading is a priority, with expert staff providing "personalised support" to help pupils develop fluency and confidence.
- The ‘Life’ curriculum prepares pupils well for modern life, including learning about "fundamental British values" and future career choices.
Areas to improve
- The curriculum is not "planned coherently or delivered consistently well in some subjects," resulting in less secure learning for some pupils.
- A significant minority of pupils are frequently suspended for not meeting behaviour expectations, which disrupts the learning of others.
- Too many pupils, particularly those with SEND or who are disadvantaged, are "absent from school too often."
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 | 35.5 |
| 2024/25 | 36.1 |
| 2025/26 | 40.5 |
| 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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