Nottingham Academy Review 2026: An Improving All-Through School

Nottingham Academy is a school in transition. Once one of the largest schools in Europe, it has since restructured, with the Greenwood Road site now operating as a distinct all-through academy for ages 3 to 19. While the headline Ofsted rating remains Requires Improvement (from the November 2023 inspection), the trajectory is upward. A monitoring visit in July 2025 noted "significant progress" under the leadership of the co-principals, highlighting a culture that is calmer and more focused than in previous years.

Located on Greenwood Road in Mapperley, the academy operates across two adjacent buildings: Site 1 houses Years 8 to 11, while Site 2 (known as 'The Bridge') is dedicated to Year 7 and the Sixth Form. This physical separation helps manage the scale of the school, allowing younger students to settle in a smaller, nurturing environment before joining the main cohort.

Co-Principals Jessie Elbaz and Andrew Staszkiewicz have worked to instil the values of "Respect, Aspiration, and Pride" throughout the school. Visitors note that the "boisterous" atmosphere of the past has been replaced by more orderly routines, though the sheer size of the student body means it remains a busy, energetic environment. The academy is part of the Greenwood Academies Trust, which provides significant central support, particularly in curriculum development and staff training.

The school's performance data tells a story of two distinct phases. The primary phase is a clear strength. In 2024, 69% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing, and mathematics, comfortably exceeding the England average of 62%. The school ranks 145th among primaries in Nottingham, placing it in the upper tiers of local performance.

In the secondary phase, outcomes are more mixed. The 2024 Progress 8 score of -0.17 indicates that students make slightly less progress than the national average, though this represents an improvement on historical figures. The attainment score of 40.6 reflects the academic hurdles some students face upon entry. Ranked 3,288th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the secondary phase sits in the national lower band, though departments such as Sport and Performing Arts often outperform these averages.

The curriculum has been redesigned to be more ambitious, particularly in the secondary phase. The "Greenwood Curriculum" is standardised to ensure consistency, a crucial move given the staff turnover challenges often faced by large city schools. In the primary phase, the approach to reading is rigorous and effective; phonics teaching is systematic, ensuring pupils gain the literacy skills needed for secondary education.

In the secondary phase, the quality of education varies. While the July 2025 monitoring visit praised improved lesson planning and behaviour management, there remain pockets where teaching is less consistent. Support for students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) is a priority, with the inclusion team working hard to ensure these students access the full curriculum.

The all-through nature of the academy offers a seamless transition from Year 6 to Year 7, a major draw for local families seeking stability.

For sixth form leavers, destinations are diverse. In 2024, 49% of students progressed to university. While A-level grades (21% A*-B in 2024) are below the national average, the school has a track record of supporting determined students to high-level destinations, including a successful Oxbridge applicant in the recent cycle.

Admissions are coordinated by Nottingham City Council. The school is consistently oversubscribed, reflecting its popularity in the local community. In 2024, there were 1.25 applications for every Year 7 place and 1.19 for every Reception place.

For September 2026 entry, the secondary application deadline was 31 October 2025, with offers released on 2 March 2026. The primary application deadline was 15 January 2026, with offers released on 16 April 2026. Nursery admissions are handled directly by the academy.

To ensure no child gets lost in the crowd, the school employs a layered pastoral system. 'The Bridge' provides a "school within a school" for Year 7s, protecting them from the bustle of the main site. Each year group has non-teaching pastoral leaders available throughout the day to resolve issues immediately.

The "Zone", a dedicated on-site youth facility, offers a safe space for students during breaks and after school. The 2023 inspection noted that pupils feel safe and that safeguarding procedures are effective.

The academy leverages its scale to offer facilities that smaller schools cannot match. The sports facilities are extensive, hosting competitive football, basketball, and netball teams. The performing arts department is active, with an annual school production that brings together students from primary and secondary phases.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a key part of the enrichment offer, encouraging resilience and independence. A range of clubs, from coding to choir, runs after school, supported by the Trust’s resources.

The school day typically runs from 8:40am to 3:00pm. Breakfast clubs are available in both phases, supporting working parents. The Greenwood Road location is well-served by Nottingham City Transport (NCT) bus routes, particularly the Red Line.

Requires Improvement rating. The school is currently rated Requires Improvement (Nov 2023). While the 2025 monitoring visit was positive, families should be aware that the school is still on an improvement journey to reach Good.

Large scale. With over 2,500 students, the academy is vast. While the separate Year 7 building helps, the main site can feel overwhelming for quieter students compared to smaller local secondaries.

Secondary vs Primary performance. There is a performance gap between the strong primary phase and the improving but lower-performing secondary phase. Parents looking for the highest academic GCSE outcomes might weigh this against the benefits of an all-through education.

Nottingham Academy is a school moving in the right direction. It offers a nurturing and successful start in the primary phase and a secondary experience that is rapidly improving under stable leadership. It is best suited to families who value the continuity of an all-through education and want a school with extensive facilities and a diverse, energetic community.