Retford Oaks Academy
Retford, DN22 7NJ · Nottinghamshire · secondary school
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36th of 45 secondary schools in Nottinghamshire 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 — 2.4/10 against 707 of them, against 2.2/10 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 | 52 | 34% | 1.79 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 35.8 · 27 | 30% | 0.81 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.52 · 15 | 25% | 0.38 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 40.8 · 23 | 10% | 0.24 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Retford Oaks Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 28.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 40.1, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.52 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. 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 (1.6 out of 10 either way). Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2022.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,080 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,295. 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 8 scores for students starting from similar backgrounds? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating while addressing recent performance data?
What Ofsted said about Retford Oaks Academy
Overview
Retford Oaks Academy continues to be a good school, where pupils are proud and feel safe. The school fosters a culture of respect and care, with staff going ‘above and beyond’ to support students. Leaders have high ambitions for pupil engagement and have designed a curriculum that prepares learners for future careers, including links with the NHS.
Strengths
- Pupils are ‘dedicated to their learning’ and behave well in lessons, responding positively to teaching.
- Bullying is not tolerated; the ‘STOP’ programme ensures pupils feel happy and know how to report concerns.
- Teachers in stronger subjects like English and science use effective strategies to challenge thinking and check understanding.
- Sixth-form students receive effective support, with increasing numbers moving on to university or high-level apprenticeships.
- Staff feel valued, describing the school as a ‘wonderful place to work’ with mindful attention to workload and well-being.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure pupils demonstrate the same high levels of self-control during unstructured times as they do in lessons.
- Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is inconsistent; leaders must ensure all teachers have the skills to help these pupils learn the intended curriculum.
- Curriculum plans and delivery must be equally ambitious in all subjects to accelerate learning and deepen understanding for every pupil.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a strong culture of vigilance, high-quality staff training, and accurate record-keeping to ensure pupils receive necessary help.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 34.6 |
| 2024/25 | 40.1 |
| 2025/26 | 40.8 |
| 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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