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.
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 45.9 places the school in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). NUAST ranks 2,246th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), and 33rd among secondary schools in Nottingham.
In 2024, 75% of students achieved grade 4 or above in both English and mathematics, with 53% achieving grade 5 or above, and 25% securing grade 7 or higher in these core subjects. 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.
The sixth form tells a different story. Ranked 972nd in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 11th in Nottingham, NUAST16 sits comfortably in the upper half of sixth form providers. Over half of A-level entries (52%) achieved grades A*-B, above the England average of 47%. The proportion achieving A* or A grades stands at 27%, compared to the England average of 24%. 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.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
52.34%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
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.
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
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 admissions operate through Nottingham City Council's coordinated scheme. The Published Admission Number (PAN) stands at 120 places. Applications close on 31 October for September entry, with National Offer Day on 1 March. With 437 applications for 118 offers in recent data, the subscription ratio of 3.7 applications per place demonstrates significant competition.
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.
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.
Applications
437
Total received
Places Offered
118
Subscription Rate
3.7x
Apps per place
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes. NUAST was rated Good by Ofsted in September 2022, with the sixth form achieving Outstanding. The school ranks in the upper half of sixth form providers in England and maintains partnerships with major employers including Rolls-Royce, Siemens, and Toshiba. In 2024, 67% of leavers progressed to university, with strong success rates for medicine and competitive course applications.
NUAST16 requires at least five GCSEs at grade 6, with minimum grade 4 in both English and mathematics. A-Level Mathematics requires grade 7 at GCSE, while Further Mathematics demands grade 8. Individual subjects have additional prerequisites detailed in the course guide.
Yes. All year groups are oversubscribed. For Year 7, recent data shows 437 applications for 118 places, a ratio of 3.7 applications per place. Places are allocated primarily by distance after priority categories (looked-after children, staff children).
NUAST offers GCSEs, BTECs, and A-levels with STEM specialism. A-level options include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering Design, Product Design, Electronics, English Literature, History, Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy and Ethics, Economics, Business Studies, and Photography. The BTEC Engineering Extended Diploma provides a vocational pathway.
Yes. NUAST has a well-established partnership with the University of Nottingham. Students regularly visit university facilities, receive UCAS application support from university admissions staff, and access workshops covering study skills, interview preparation, and student finance. The school also maintains partnerships with Oxford and Cambridge colleges.
Get in touch with the school directly
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