Samuel Barlow Primary Academy, Mansfield

Ofsted's report card from its 6 May 2026 inspection grades Samuel Barlow Primary Academy on 7 areas: 5 expected standard and 2 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders have a clear and strategic approach to attendance."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children get off to a positive start in the early years."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders place inclusion at the centre of the school's work."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders have high expectations."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders prioritise pupils' personal development and wellbeing."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Pupils do not achieve as well as they should."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "The quality of teaching is variable across the school."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that teachers consistently identify and swiftly address gaps and misconceptions in pupils' knowledge"; "Leaders should ensure that all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who are disadvantaged, make suitable progress from their starting points and are well prepared for the next stage of education"; "Leaders should ensure that their attendance strategy continues to reduce levels of persistent absence, particularly for pupils who are disadvantaged and those with SEND".

In 2025, 41% of Year 6 pupils at Samuel Barlow Primary Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 38% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 76% in Nottinghamshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 44% in reading and 48% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 36 families put Samuel Barlow Primary Academy as their first choice and 59 named it as one of their preferences, for 36 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Samuel Barlow Primary Academy are Newlands Junior School (0.6 miles, Good, 71% reading, 75% maths); John T Rice Infant and Nursery School (0.6 miles, Good); Holly Primary School (1.8 miles, Good, 85% reading, 88% maths); and Forest Town Primary School (2 miles).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Samuel Barlow Primary Academy.

Samuel Barlow Primary Academy is one of 16 schools run by Diverse Academies Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 51% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

36.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 11.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (81%) and Black (7%).

In 2026, 58 pupils (22.2%) received SEN support and 8 (3.1%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Samuel Barlow Primary Academy.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Clipstone Library (adjacent), 130 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 48 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson and anti-social behaviour. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Nottinghamshire (101).

In 2024/25, Samuel Barlow Primary Academy issued 22 suspensions, 8.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.