Nunthorpe Academy Review 2026: Academic Strength and Community Ambition

Serving the residential suburbs of south Middlesbrough, Nunthorpe Academy has long held a reputation as a cornerstone of its local community. The academy operates as an all-through secondary and post-16 provider, accommodating students from age 11 through to 18. With a capacity of over 1,600, it is a significant institution within the Redcar and Cleveland local authority.

The school current head teacher is Kate Kell, who serves as Head of School alongside Executive Head Teacher Lee Brown. Kate Kell has led the academy through a period of transition and rigorous focus on curriculum development. While the 2024 Ofsted inspection identified the school as Requires Improvement, recent developments and internal data show a school working determinedly to reclaim its historic high standing. Performance in GCSE and A-level outcomes remains solid, with the school ranking in the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile), reflecting its status as a reliable choice for local families.

The academy sits on an expansive site on Guisborough Road, characterized by a mix of traditional and modern buildings that reflect its growth over decades. There is a palpable sense of purpose during the school day; students move between the main blocks and the dedicated Sixth Form Centre with a maturity that suggests they understand the expectations placed upon them.

Nunthorpe is part of the Areté Learning Trust (ALT), having joined the trust to benefit from shared resources and a consistent pedagogical approach across partner schools. The atmosphere is one of disciplined ambition. There is no sense of complacency here; instead, there is a visible effort to ensure every student, regardless of their starting point, has access to a broad and challenging educational experience.

The school values, Ready, Respectful, Safe, form the backbone of the behavior policy. In communal areas and during lesson transitions, students generally demonstrate the respect for their environment and peers that the academy expects. The leadership team is highly visible, maintaining a presence that balances authority with approachable support.

Nunthorpe Academy consistently delivers respectable academic outcomes that place it as a strong local performer. In the most recent validated data, the academy achieved an Attainment 8 score of 45.8. While the Progress 8 score of -0.44 indicates that students make slightly less progress than the England average from their KS2 starting points, the raw attainment remains competitive within Middlesbrough.

Ranked 1,819th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), Nunthorpe sits as the 4th ranked school among providers in Middlesbrough. This performance reflects a solid, typical national standing, ensuring students are well-prepared for their next steps.

At post-16, the results tell a similar story of consistency. The academy ranks 1,331st in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it 3rd locally in Middlesbrough. Nearly half of all A-level entries (46.53%) achieved the top grades of A* to B, which is in line with the England average of 47.2%. For students aiming for higher education, these results provide a sturdy platform for university applications.

The curriculum at Nunthorpe Academy is designed to be academic and rigorous. The leadership has focused heavily on the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), with 19.9% of pupils achieving Grade 5 or above in these core subjects. While this is below the England average, it represents a significant portion of the cohort engaging with a traditional, high-value curriculum.

Teaching staff are noted for their subject expertise, particularly in the core areas of Mathematics and English. In the Sixth Form, the approach shifts toward a more independent style of learning, mirroring the university environment. Students are encouraged to take ownership of their studies, supported by regular one-to-one tutorials and a refined tracking system that monitors progress against ambitious targets.

Specialist facilities support the delivery of the curriculum, including well-equipped science laboratories and a modern computing suite. The academy has made strides in integrating technology into daily lessons, ensuring that students are digitally literate and prepared for the modern workplace.

Where Students Go Next

The transition from Year 11 into the Sixth Form is a popular route, with many students choosing to remain within the familiar environment of the academy. For those completing their A-levels, the destination data is encouraging. According to 2024 leavers data, 56% of the cohort progressed directly to university.

The academy has a functional pipeline to higher education, with 11% of students entering employment and 8% securing apprenticeships immediately after their studies. This balanced spread of destinations suggests that the academy provides effective careers guidance that caters to both academic and vocational aspirations.

While Oxbridge entry is rare, with five applications recorded in the most recent cycle resulting in no offers, the academy successfully places a significant number of students into Russell Group universities. Popular destinations for Nunthorpe leavers often include Newcastle University, Durham University, and Northumbria University, reflecting a strong regional connection and a preference for well-regarded Northern institutions.

Securing a place at Nunthorpe Academy is a competitive process. For the most recent entry cycle, the academy received 459 applications for its 241 available places, making it significantly oversubscribed. With a subscription proportion of 1.9, almost two families apply for every available desk.

Admissions are coordinated through the Redcar and Cleveland Local Authority. The national closing date for Year 7 applications was 31 October 2025, with offers to be released on National Allocation Day, 1 March 2026. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates to gauge their likelihood of entry.

For entry into the Sixth Form, the academy typically requires students to achieve a minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 5 or above, including English and Mathematics, with specific higher requirements for certain A-level subjects like Sciences and Further Maths.

Pastoral care is organized through a year-group system, where students are supported by a dedicated Head of Year and a team of tutors. This structure ensures that every student has a consistent point of contact who understands their individual circumstances and academic journey.

The academy has invested in its mental health provision, with trained staff available to support students dealing with anxiety or social challenges. This support is particularly focused during the transition years of Year 7 and Year 12, where the shift in environment can be most daunting.

The 2024 Ofsted report identified areas for improvement in behavior and attitudes, particularly regarding suspensions and consistency in handling bullying. The school has worked to strengthen its safeguarding culture and ensure staff consistently apply expectations. Students report feeling safe on site, and there is a clear mechanism for reporting concerns.

Extracurricular life at Nunthorpe is varied, with a strong emphasis on sports and the performing arts. The academy's sports facilities, including extensive playing fields and a large sports hall, host a range of competitive teams in football, netball, and rugby.

The arts are a notable strength. The academy regularly stages large-scale musical productions and drama showcases that involve students from across all year groups. For those with a musical bent, there are opportunities to join the choir or various instrumental ensembles.

STEM: Innovation and Skills

The academy has worked to bolster its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) credentials. This includes participation in regional engineering challenges and coding clubs that allow students to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world problems. The dedicated STEM initiatives are designed to encourage more students, particularly girls, to pursue these subjects at A-level and beyond.

The school day at Nunthorpe Academy typically begins at 8:40am and concludes at 3:10pm. The academy offers a range of after-school clubs and revision sessions that extend the day for many students.

In terms of transport, the school is well-served by local bus routes connecting it to Middlesbrough and Guisborough. The nearby Nunthorpe railway station provides a convenient link for students traveling from further afield, particularly for those in the Sixth Form who may live outside the immediate catchment area. Parking on Guisborough Road can be congested during drop-off and pick-up times, and the academy encourages walking or cycling where possible.

• Requires Improvement Rating: The 2024 Ofsted rating of Requires Improvement is a significant factor. While leaders are honest about challenges and working to improve, families should review the report for details on behavior and training gaps.
• Oversubscription: With nearly two applications for every place, securing entry at Year 7 is difficult for those living outside the immediate vicinity. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.
• Sixth Form Entry: The Sixth Form is academically focused. Students not meeting the GCSE entry requirements may need to look at local further education colleges for more vocational pathways.
• Large School Feel: With over 1,600 students, the academy is a large, bustling environment. Students who thrive in smaller, quieter settings may find the scale of Nunthorpe overwhelming during social times.

Nunthorpe Academy is a school in the process of transformation, backed by a strong historical reputation and a committed leadership team. It offers a solid academic foundation and a respectable Sixth Form provision that successfully prepares students for university life. Best suited to local students who are prepared to work hard within a traditional academic structure and who value being part of a large, diverse school community. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature on FindMySchool to manage their shortlist and track future inspection updates.