The Carlton Infant Academy, Nottingham

Ofsted's report card from its 12 May 2026 inspection grades The Carlton Infant Academy on 7 areas: 4 strong standard and 3 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders provide highly effective support for pupils and their families to ensure that pupils attend well."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders are committed to meeting the needs of every pupil."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders have created an exciting, positive and inclusive culture in the school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "The promotion of pupils' personal development and wellbeing is highly effective."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their education."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the quality of the curriculum and teaching across the school."

Early years - Expected standard. "The early years curriculum supports learning from when children join the school in the 2-year-olds' provision."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that the curriculum is taught consistently well in all subjects and year groups so that pupils secure the knowledge and skills they need for their next steps"; "Leaders should ensure that the checks made on pupils' learning are used by staff to improve and address any misconceptions pupils have, particularly in their handwriting and spelling"; "In the early years, leaders should ensure the consistent use of high-quality interactions from staff to extend children's vocabulary and deepen their understanding of important knowledge".

From the headteacher's welcome: "We're delighted to welcome you to our school community, where every child is nurtured, valued, and encouraged to reach their full potential. At The Carlton Infant Academy, we believe that the early years are a time of wonder, discovery, and growth - and we're here to make every moment count."

The school runs after-school care.

Coming up: an open day on Thursday 12 November 2026 at 4pm. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

For September 2026 entry, 42 families put The Carlton Infant Academy as their first choice and 93 named it as one of their preferences, for 42 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 The Carlton Infant Academy are The Carlton Junior Academy (under 0.1 miles, Good, 83% reading, 82% maths); The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy (0.2 miles, Good, 64% reading, 68% maths); Parkdale Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 83% reading, 79% maths); and Haddon Primary and Nursery School (0.6 miles, Good, 89% reading, 89% maths).

The Carlton Infant Academy is one of 21 schools run by Redhill Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 72% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

34.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 30 pupils (16.5%) received SEN support and 4 (2.2%) 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.

The Carlton Infant Academy had 11 teachers in 2026, one for every 13 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Carlton Rail Station, about 1160 metres away (roughly a 15-minute walk).

18 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Bell Street (adjacent), 100 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 232 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Nottinghamshire (101), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, The Carlton Infant Academy issued 1 suspension, 0.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to The Carlton Infant Academy are Carlton Academy (0.6 miles), Nottingham Academy (1 mile) and Carlton le Willows Academy (1.3 miles).