The Milford Academy, Nottingham

Ofsted's report card from its 27 January 2026 inspection grades The Milford Academy on 7 areas: 1 expected standard and 6 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school promotes pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development well."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Pupils' progress across the school varies, particularly for disadvantaged pupils and those with gaps in prior knowledge."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Overall, attendance remains too low."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Leaders' checks on teaching and curriculum implementation have been hindered this year."

Early years - Needs attention. "At times, adults miss opportunities to develop children's language, thinking and confidence."

Inclusion - Needs attention. "Leaders are not yet using all available information to understand the impact of their actions."

Leadership and governance - Needs attention. "Leaders do not use the information they have about the school in enough depth to spot patterns, check what is working well or report clearly to governors."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Governors should hold leaders to account with greater precision and ensure they have a sharp understanding of the priorities and improvement actions that will have the greatest impact on pupils across the school. • Leaders should continue to strengthen staff expertise so that they can design a curriculum that responds effectively to the increasingly complex special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) within the school. • Leaders should ensure that teachers use assessment accurately so that any gaps in pupils' knowledge or skills are identified and tackled quickly. • Leaders should ensure that all pupils, including those with SEND, have the necessary early reading, writing and mathematical knowledge linked to their age or stage of development so that they are ready for their next stage in education. • Leaders should ensure that all families understand the school's expectations and actions around regular attendance, and that these lead to sustained improvements so that pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, attend school regularly. • Leaders should ensure that all early years staff consistently engage in high‑quality interactions with children in every area of provision, indoors and outdoors".

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am Mr Turner, the proud Headteacher here at Milford, and it is my absolute pleasure to welcome you into our vibrant community. At Milford, we believe in nurturing every child's unique potential and making learning an exciting adventure. Our vision is clear: we aim to be the school of choice for all children in Clifton."

The school runs after-school care.

In 2025, 83% of Year 6 pupils at The Milford Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 86% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 73% and 73% in Nottingham and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 68% in reading and 75% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 35 families put The Milford Academy as their first choice and 73 named it as one of their preferences, for 41 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to The Milford Academy are Blessed Robert Widmerpool Catholic Primary and Nursery School (under 0.1 miles, Outstanding, 94% reading, 84% maths); Highbank Primary and Nursery School (0.4 miles, Good, 77% reading, 77% maths); Whitegate Primary and Nursery School (0.4 miles, Good, 80% reading, 78% maths); and The Glapton Academy (0.6 miles, Good, 85% reading, 80% maths).

The Milford Academy's 2025 results were higher than 3 of these 4 schools.

22 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about The Milford Academy (as of April 2026): 77% would recommend the school, 73% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (77%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

34.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 41 pupils (9.5%) received SEN support and 17 (4%) 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 autism.

The Milford Academy has a SEN unit for moderate learning difficulties: 16 places, 9 pupils on roll.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Holy Trinity Tram Stop, about 320 metres away (roughly a 4-minute walk).

18 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Dungannon Road, 190 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 214 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Nottingham (391).

In 2024/25, The Milford Academy issued 7 suspensions, 1.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.