Best Secondary Schools in Nottingham 2026

Ranked by Ofsted rating, exam results, attendance, and class sizes. 18 schools across Nottingham. Updated with 2025–26 data.

Nottingham has 18 secondary schools, of which 3 (17%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and a further 13 rated Good — 89% of secondary schools in Nottingham are rated Good or Outstanding overall. Bluecoat Trent Academy currently leads the local rankings on our composite SNM Score.

Application deadlines in Nottingham follow the national calendar: 31 October for Year 7 secondary entry and 15 January for Reception primary entry. Offers go out on 1 March and 16 April respectively.

18
Total schools
3
Outstanding
17%
Outstanding rate
61.6%
Avg KS2 SATs
38
Avg GCSE A8
All schools Primary Secondary
Rank School Ofsted SNM Score
🥇 Bluecoat Trent Academy
Secondary
 Good 80 View school
🥈 Fernwood School
Secondary
 Outstanding 77 View school
🥉 The Trinity Catholic School A Voluntary Academy
Secondary
 Good 72 View school
4. Bluecoat Wollaton Academy
Secondary
 Outstanding 72 View school
5. Nottingham Girls' Academy
Secondary
 Outstanding 70 View school
6. Nottingham Free School
Secondary
 Good 67 View school
7. Nottingham University Academy of Science and Technology
Secondary
 Good 66 View school
8. Bluecoat Aspley Academy
Secondary
 Good 63 View school
9. Park Vale Academy
Secondary
 Good 56 View school
10. The Oakwood Academy
Secondary
 Good 54 View school
11. Nottingham University Samworth Academy
Secondary
 Good 53 View school
12. Farnborough Spencer Academy
Secondary
 Good 51 View school
13. Ellis Guilford School
Secondary
 Good 49 View school
14. The Wells Academy
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 46 View school
15. Bluecoat Beechdale Academy
Secondary
 Good 45 View school
16. The Nottingham Emmanuel School
Secondary
 Good 43 View school
17. The Bulwell Academy
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 38 View school
18. Djanogly City Academy
Secondary
 Good 35 View school

Related lists for Nottingham

All schools in NottinghamPrimary & secondary combined Primary schools in NottinghamReception–Year 6 only Outstanding schools in Nottingham3 schools rated Outstanding

See full data for any school in Nottingham

Catchment distances, exam trends, SEN data, attendance, and more — all in one place.

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Frequently asked questions

How many secondary schools are there in Nottingham?
There are 18 secondary schools in Nottingham, of which 3 (17%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
What are the best schools in Nottingham?
Based on our composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance and class sizes, the top school in Nottingham is Bluecoat Trent Academy. See the full ranked list above.
How do I apply for a school place in Nottingham?
Primary and secondary school applications in Nottingham are managed by the Local Authority. Applications for secondary places typically open in September for the following academic year. Visit the Nottingham council website for application forms and deadlines.
What is the average Ofsted rating in Nottingham?
17% of secondary schools in Nottingham are rated Outstanding and 72% are rated Good. 78% are rated Good or Outstanding.

Data sourced from Ofsted, Department for Education, and ISI. School rankings reflect the Schools Near Me composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance, and pupil-teacher ratios. Last updated April 2026.