Nottingham University Academy of Science and Technology

A STEM-specialist academy where students build racing cars, programme robots, and train on industry-standard CNC machinery, all within sight of the University of Nottingham's dreaming spires. Originally opened as a University Technical College in 2014, NUAST has evolved into an oversubscribed 11-18 free school that combines genuine technical specialism with strong academic outcomes. The sixth form earned an Outstanding rating from Ofsted, and the school maintains partnerships with engineering giants including Rolls-Royce, Siemens, and Toshiba.

The purpose-built campus on Clifton Boulevard, designed by Bond Bryan Architects and completed in 2014, occupies the former site of a fire station just minutes from the University of Nottingham's main campus. At a construction cost of £10 million, the 8,600 square metre building was designed specifically for technical education. The corridors lead to workshops equipped with CNC lathes, milling machines, and routers, alongside facilities for heat treatment, welding, and brazing. Electronic engineering students work with printed circuit board production and assembly equipment, while science laboratories match university-level specifications.

The atmosphere is purposeful and technically focused. Students here have actively chosen a STEM pathway, and that shared interest shapes the culture. With approximately 620 students in Years 7-11 and over 300 in the sixth form, NUAST maintains the feel of a specialist institution despite its recent expansion from its original 14-19 intake to a full 11-18 school in September 2018.

Dave Thompson has led NUAST as Headteacher since June 2023. The school operates as part of the Nova Education Trust. The vision statement captures the ethos clearly: to create a highly aspirational STEM specialist school that will allow students to go beyond what they thought possible and lead fulfilled lives. Core values centre on respect, resilience, and aspiration, underpinned by a commitment to education's transformative power.

GCSE Performance

At GCSE, NUAST achieves solid results that reflect its comprehensive Year 7 intake rather than a grammar-style selection process. The Attainment 8 score of 51.1 places the school in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). NUAST ranks 1,458th in England for overall secondary outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), and 18th among secondary schools in Nottingham.

In the 2024-25 / 2025 dataset, 75.4% of students achieved grade 4 or above in both English and mathematics, with 52.5% achieving grade 5 or above. The Progress 8 score of -0.16 indicates students make slightly below average progress from their starting points, though context matters here. NUAST takes students from across the ability range and transforms many into confident technical specialists, a journey not fully captured by headline metrics.

A-Level Performance

The sixth form tells a different story. Ranked 609th in England for overall sixth form outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 5th in Nottingham, NUAST16 sits comfortably in the upper half of sixth form providers. Around 60% of A-level entries achieved grades A*-B. The proportion achieving A* or A grades stands at 40%. Ofsted rated the sixth form Outstanding in its September 2022 inspection, a significant achievement for a relatively young institution.

The school notes that recent cohorts achieved more A*/A grades than ever, with students performing significantly better than other schools in England.

The curriculum at NUAST reflects its specialist identity. Alongside the standard secondary curriculum, students access specialist pathways in engineering, computing, and applied science from Key Stage 4 onwards. The BTEC Engineering Extended Diploma runs alongside A-levels, providing vocational routes into technical careers.

A-level options span the STEM core (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering Design, Product Design, Electronics) alongside humanities and social sciences (English Literature, History, Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy and Ethics, Economics, Business Studies). Photography and the Extended Project Qualification extend the offering further.

Entry to Level 3 study requires at least five GCSEs at grade 6, with minimum grade 4 in English and mathematics. A-Level Mathematics demands grade 7, while Further Mathematics requires grade 8. These thresholds ensure students are equipped for the rigour ahead.

Teachers receive regular and well-planned training. The Ofsted inspection noted that teachers adapt their teaching to fill gaps in pupils' knowledge. High expectations run throughout, though inspectors identified that some pupils need more support with reading. The curriculum has been described as ambitious, building knowledge systematically so that pupils know more and remember more over time.

In 2024, 67% of NUAST16 leavers progressed to university, drawn from a cohort of 166 students. A further 8% started apprenticeships, 14% moved directly into employment, and 1% continued with further education. These figures reflect the school's dual focus on academic and vocational pathways.

The Oxbridge pipeline, while modest in absolute numbers, demonstrates genuine aspiration. Eleven students applied to Oxford or Cambridge in the measurement period, with one securing a place at Cambridge. The school has established partnerships with Peterhouse (Cambridge) and Magdalen College (Oxford), providing dedicated application support for competitive candidates. The admissions team from the University of Nottingham provides training, advice, and support to students and staff preparing UCAS applications.

The school notes that the vast majority of medicine, dentistry, pharmacology, and veterinary applicants received offers, reflecting the strength of science teaching and application support.

NUAST is oversubscribed in all year groups, reflecting strong demand for its specialist provision.

Year 7 Entry

Year 7 admissions operate through Nottingham City Council’s coordinated scheme. The Published Admission Number (PAN) stands at 120 places. For September 2027 entry, the application process opens by 3 August 2026, applications close on 31 October 2026, and National Offer Day is 1 March 2027.

After looked-after children and previously looked-after children (including those adopted from state care outside England), priority goes to children of NUAST staff. Remaining places are allocated by straight-line distance from home address to the school gates. No formal catchment boundary exists, but demand ensures the effective catchment is tight.

Year 12 Entry (NUAST16)

The sixth form admits 150 students annually, drawing from NUAST's own Year 11 and external applicants. Applications are made directly to the school through the NUAST16 application form. Open Evening for September 2026 entry is scheduled for Thursday 6 November 2025, with bookings opening in September 2025.

As a small specialist academy, NUAST provides tailored pastoral support that larger comprehensives cannot always match. Leaders have developed a behaviour policy that keeps the school calm and focused. When bullying occurs, leaders address it effectively. The September 2022 Ofsted inspection confirmed that pupils feel safe and well cared for.

The culture emphasises British values: democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance. Parents surveyed by Ofsted were overwhelmingly positive about the school, expressing satisfaction with both care and education.

Safeguarding arrangements meet requirements, and the school does not use alternative provision. The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is larger than the England average, yet the school creates an environment where all students can access specialist technical education.

STEM Enrichment

The Made in NUAST Award programme captures the enrichment offer. Students can join VEX Robotics, building and programming robots for competition. The Greenpower challenge sees teams design and race electric vehicles. Young Enterprise develops business acumen, while the UKMT Mathematics competition tests problem-solving at national level.

For those pursuing medicine, the Medical Society provides dedicated support, contributing to the strong track record of healthcare course offers. Public speaking opportunities build confidence for interviews and careers alike. QMC volunteering connects students with the NHS and community service.

Industry Partnerships

The employer partnership network distinguishes NUAST from typical secondaries. Siemens, Toshiba, Rolls-Royce, SMS Electronics, Experian, Esendex, MediCity, Greene Tweed, Far Composites, and Autodesk all contribute to an employer-led curriculum. Partners deliver workshops, educational visits, professional speakers, mentoring, sponsorship, and master classes. Each year, students secure work experience and company placements through these relationships.

Students serve as STEM ambassadors, promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers to primary schools across Nottingham. This outreach role develops leadership and communication skills while contributing to the broader STEM pipeline.

University Access

Throughout the academic year, NUAST students visit the University of Nottingham's world-class facilities. These visits develop curriculum knowledge and provide insight into higher education. The university supports enrichment through post-18 options workshops, study skills sessions, revision workshops, and comprehensive UCAS support covering personal statements, interview preparation, admissions tests, and student finance.

The school day accommodates the extended curriculum that technical education requires. Transport links are good, with the school located on the A52 Clifton Boulevard, close to University of Nottingham and QMC tram stops. The Dunkirk location provides access from across Nottingham without requiring central city travel.

Term dates follow the standard Nottingham City calendar. The school provides details of wraparound care arrangements on request; families should contact the school directly for current breakfast and after-school provision.

Technical specialism is genuine. This is not a school for students who want to avoid STEM subjects. The curriculum, facilities, and culture all orient around science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Students without genuine interest in these fields may find the emphasis limiting.

GCSE progress measures lag sixth form achievement. The Progress 8 score of -0.16 sits below average, contrasting with the Outstanding sixth form. Families should understand that NUAST takes a broad intake and that value-added at Key Stage 4 differs from raw attainment.

Entry is competitive. With 3.7 applications per Year 7 place, securing admission requires proximity or priority criteria. Families outside the effective catchment should have realistic expectations.

Relatively young institution. Founded in 2014 and expanded to 11-18 in 2018, NUAST lacks the decades of track record that established schools can demonstrate. The Outstanding sixth form rating provides reassurance, but families seeking long institutional history will need to look elsewhere.

NUAST offers something genuinely distinctive: a state-funded STEM-specialist education backed by industry partnerships and university collaboration, housed in purpose-built facilities equipped with professional-grade machinery. The Outstanding sixth form demonstrates what focused technical education can achieve. For students with genuine interest in science, engineering, or computing, this school provides pathways that few state schools can match, from Greenpower racing to Rolls-Royce mentoring to Cambridge college partnerships.

Best suited to students who actively want a STEM-focused education and will engage with the technical opportunities on offer. Families seeking a traditional academic secondary without specialist emphasis should consider alternatives. For those who fit the profile, the main challenge is securing a place in an oversubscribed school.