Hucknall Flying High Academy Review 2026: Outstanding primary on a modern 2019 site

A relatively new primary, opened in September 2019 on the site of a former Rolls-Royce factory, Hucknall Flying High Academy has quickly built a reputation for high expectations and strong outcomes.

The school runs from Nursery through to Year 6 (ages 2 to 11) and is part of the Flying High Trust, a partnership of primary schools across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Nottingham City.

The most recent Ofsted inspection, carried out on 18 and 19 June 2024 and published on 12 July 2024, judged the school Outstanding across all areas, including early years provision.

The public message is consistent: make every day count, then back it up with routines, expectations, and a culture that puts learning first. The school’s own values are simple and memorable, Be kind, work hard and fly high, shaped through its Pupil Parliament.

Leadership is clearly signposted. The current headteacher is Mr K Clowery, and the wider team structure is transparent, with named phase leaders and an Early Years Leader. Tenure dates are not routinely published, so families should treat leadership as current rather than time-stamped.

As a building designed for a new school, the site is set up for accessibility, with level access, lift access to the first floor, and an accessible changing facility. For families thinking ahead about mobility needs or temporary injuries, that matters day to day, not just as a policy statement.

This is a state primary, so there are no tuition fees. The best guide to academic effectiveness is the published outcomes and the school’s position relative to peers.

In 2024, 87% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined. This is well above the England average of 62%. At the higher standard, 28% achieved greater depth in reading, writing and mathematics, compared to the England average of 8%.

Scaled scores and subject standards are also strong in the 2024 data. Reading, mathematics and grammar, punctuation and spelling scaled scores are reported at 108, 106 and 109 respectively, with 89% reaching the expected standard in each of reading, maths and spelling, and 89% meeting the expected standard in science.

Rankings add useful context when you are comparing locally. Ranked 2,270th in England and 27th in Nottingham for primary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking, based on official data), the school sits above England average overall, placing it comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England.

For families comparing multiple Hucknall and North Nottinghamshire primaries, the FindMySchool Local Hub and Comparison Tool can help you line up these figures side by side, rather than relying on reputation alone.

The curriculum language is deliberately knowledge-led, with a strong emphasis on sequencing what children learn over time, not just what they do in a lesson. The school defines curriculum as the totality of a child’s experience, and it points to trust-wide Key Knowledge Progression Documents used alongside the National Curriculum to plan content across subjects.

A useful detail for parents is how the school frames quality. It describes a “6 As” model for curriculum design, including academic rigour, authenticity and applied learning. Whether or not families use that language at home, the implication is practical, lessons are designed to build vocabulary, reasoning and problem-solving, then revisit and apply learning so it sticks.

Early years sits firmly inside that same structure rather than feeling like a separate world. The school highlights Flying Start Nursery (ages 3 to 4) and a Reception class, with early years provision also judged Outstanding in the latest inspection.

As a primary to Year 6, the key destination is secondary school. The trust message is explicit that the aim is for children to be ready for secondary school by the end of primary education.

Specific secondary destinations are not published as standard, so families should not expect a definitive list of “usual” schools. What the school does set out is the intent, strong foundations in English and maths, broad cultural knowledge, and personal development through PSHE, all designed to make transition smoother academically and socially.

If your shortlist includes different secondary routes (for example, a particular catchment secondary versus a longer commute), ask directly how Year 6 transition is handled and what support is available for pupils who need extra structure during change.

Entry points are clear. Nursery places are handled via a school registration process, and the school notes that children can join Nursery at the beginning of the term after their third birthday, with earlier entry possible if spaces exist.

Reception admission is coordinated through Nottinghamshire County Council. For September 2026 entry, applications open on 03 November 2025 and close on 15 January 2026, with offers released on 16 April 2026.

Competition is real. In the latest admissions data provided, there were 142 applications for 30 offers for the relevant entry route, which is about 4.73 applications per place. A separate indicator, the proportion of first preferences relative to offers, sits at 2.13, suggesting a meaningful cohort of families are prioritising this school as their first choice.

If you are weighing up the odds, use FindMySchoolMap Search to check practical travel time and your own routines, then balance that against the admissions criteria and the wider set of realistic options.

Wellbeing is treated as a core part of school life, not an add-on. The school names a dedicated Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA), Mrs Dempsey, who is also described as the Pupil Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead.

The wellbeing approach includes concrete routines. Examples include staff acting as greeters at the gates in the morning to welcome children and check in, and providing spaces for children to calm down. There is also a clear message that adults are available to listen, and that staff knowing children well is a protective factor.

For pupils with additional needs, the school describes an assess, plan, do, review cycle and offers three review points each year with parents and the SENCo. It also runs SEND drop-in coffee mornings each half term, which can be a meaningful support for families who want informal access to key staff.

At primary level, the difference is often in the detail of what pupils can actually do, week to week, and who leads it.

Sport has external specialist input. The school notes that Next Level Sports run most PE lessons, delivered by trained coaches focused on teaching a range of sports and skills. The implication for families is consistent delivery and breadth, particularly helpful where staff specialism varies year to year.

Wellbeing-linked clubs and activities are also visible. The school references yoga sessions and dance classes after school. Those are not just “extra activities”, they align with the school’s wider wellbeing model and provide an accessible route for pupils who may not see themselves primarily as team-sport children.

Community-facing opportunities show up through specific initiatives. One example is the OT Food Club Easter Egg collection described in school communications, aimed at local care homes. This kind of project helps pupils connect learning with service and local responsibility, without needing grand, one-off events.

Wraparound care is a significant part of life for many families. The on-site before- and after-school provision is run by Rattle and Roll Performance, and the school describes the sessions as structured, with a mix of snack and downtime, free play, and activity choices such as craft, Lego, construction, reading, art and outdoor play.

School hours are published clearly. Nursery operates a core day from 8:45am to 3:15pm, and Foundation 2 to Year 6 run 8:45am to 3:15pm.

Wraparound care runs from 7:00am to 8:45am and from 3:15pm to 6:00pm. A local directory listing publishes indicative session prices of £6.90 (before school), £12.00 (after school), and £25.00 (holiday club full day). Additional costs and availability can change, so families should confirm directly before relying on these figures.

Lunch is cooked on site, with two options each day including a vegetarian choice, and facilities for packed lunches.

A dedicated travel guide is not published on the school site. For day-to-day practicality, most families will want to test the drop-off and pick-up routine at the times that matter, then build that into their shortlist decision.

• Admission pressure at Reception. With 142 applications for 30 places in the relevant admissions data, competition is significant. Families should keep a realistic second option and understand the admissions criteria early.

• A young school means less long-run track record. The school opened in September 2019. That does not limit the current quality, but it does mean there is less historical data across many cohorts for families who like long time series comparisons.

• Curriculum language is structured and formal. The knowledge-based approach and trust-wide progression documents suit many children, especially those who benefit from clear sequencing. Families seeking a more child-led model should ask how enquiry and creativity sit inside the knowledge spine.

• Wraparound is outsourced. Rattle and Roll Performance run before- and after-school provision. Many families will see that as a plus (specialist delivery and longer hours), but it is worth checking how communication, bookings and cancellations work in practice.

Hucknall Flying High Academy is a high-performing state primary with an Outstanding Ofsted judgement, strong 2024 outcomes, and a clear trust-backed approach to curriculum and culture. It suits families who want a structured, ambitious education from early years through to Year 6, with published wraparound options that support working routines. The main challenge is securing a place at Reception in a competitive admissions picture.