Schools in Retford
Georgian and Victorian market frontages ring Retford's broad central square, a north Nottinghamshire market town of around 24,000 that grew along the River Idle and the Chesterfield Canal.
Hallcroft, east of the town centre, is widely regarded as Retford's most school-competitive neighbourhood for primary places, and the village-edge areas of Babworth to the south-west and Ranskill to the north draw families seeking quieter settings within catchment distance. Ordsall flanks the northern fringe. North Leverton and open farmland extend beyond the town toward Lincolnshire. East Midlands Railway services from Retford station reach Nottingham in around forty minutes and Sheffield in a similar time.
17
Primary
schools
2
Secondary
schools
2
Special
schools
Area Performance
Retford schools rank in the top 69% of England
Across 19 primary and sixth-form schools, state and independent. The average Find My School Inspection Score is 6.64/10, -0.77 vs England.
Find My School Inspection Band
0% Elite
Distribution across all Retford schools
Retford vs England distribution
National Rank
Top 69%
Across all ranked Retford schools
Primary schools: 16 schools (state + independent)
top 67% of 14,825
top 67% of 14,825
Sixth form schools: 3 schools (state + independent)
top 82% of 2,525
top 82% of 2,525
Top 3 Primary Schools
2026
Retford town
Local directory
School profiles in Retford
Browse 9 local profile links across primary schools in retford town and secondary schools in retford town. Each profile brings together admissions context, performance data, inspection history and school details in one place.
Primary schools in Retford town
7 local matches
Secondary schools in Retford town
2 local matches
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