The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy, Nottingham
The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy is a primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11 in Nottingham, part of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi-Academy Trust. It has a Roman Catholic religious character. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in January 2019. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in April 2025 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 162nd-highest of the 191 schools in Nottingham with published results, and 11,625th of 14,452 across England. It was 96% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- Below England average
- Ofsted
- Good (2019)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 80 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Nottinghamshire (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy in detail
Results
In 2025, 64% of Year 6 pupils at The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 68% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 76% in Nottinghamshire and 77% and 75% across England.
Results fell from 75% in reading and 64% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy
For September 2026 entry, 19 families put The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy as their first choice and 44 named it as one of their preferences, for 19 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy are The Carlton Infant Academy (0.2 miles, Good); The Carlton Junior Academy (0.2 miles, Good, 83% reading, 82% maths); Parkdale Primary School (0.3 miles, Good, 83% reading, 79% maths); and Colwick St John the Baptist CofE Primary Academy (0.6 miles).
Each of them had higher 2025 results than The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy.
The Carlton Infant AcademyThe Carlton Junior AcademyParkdale Primary SchoolColwick St John the Baptist CofE Primary Academy
The trust
The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy is one of 36 schools run by Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi-Academy Trust, an academy trust.
All 36 schools in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi-Academy Trust
What parents say
25 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy (as of September 2025): 76% would recommend the school, 88% 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 are kept well informed about progress (88%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).
Who goes there
13.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.
In 2026, 29 pupils (13.2%) received SEN support and 4 (1.8%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Netherfield Rail Station, about 1080 metres away (roughly a 13-minute walk).
19 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Sacred Heart Primary School (opposite), 70 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 231 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.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy issued 5 suspensions, 2.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy are Carlton Academy (0.8 miles), Nottingham Academy (0.9 miles) and Carlton le Willows Academy (1.4 miles).
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; Ofsted Parent View; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoThis judgement is from January 2019, 7 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's April 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
The school has created a welcoming community where the HEART values help pupils behave positively and achieve well. Children get off to a strong start with a well-organised early years and excellent phonics programme. Pupils with additional needs are carefully supported with adapted teaching so they make good progress.
Key Strengths
- Well-planned curriculum that builds knowledge incrementally and is regularly revisited so pupils remember what they learn
- Strong phonics programme with good progress in reading, and pupils enjoy a wide range of books and daily story time
- Early years is vibrant and well-organised with skilled staff helping children develop independence and communication skills
- SEND support is effective with skilfully adapted lessons and strong progress
- Positive behaviour and attitudes with clear systems that pupils understand and value
Areas for Improvement
- Some pupils given work that is too easy for them, limiting their achievement
- Assessment information not used consistently enough in foundation subjects to identify curriculum strengths and weaknesses
- Attendance remains a concern, particularly for disadvantaged pupils, despite new systems being put in place
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective with robust systems in place and a positive culture that puts pupils' interests first.
Extracurricular Activities
Well-being leaders, peer mentors, IT technicians, wet play and assembly leaders
The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy is a Good school where pupils live out the HEART values (hard working, enthusiastic, aspirational, respectful, togetherness) and achieve well. The recently established senior leadership team has brought about significant improvements in safeguarding, early years provision, and curriculum planning.
At a Glance
13.7%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
25 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 75% to 64% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 64% to 68% (2024 to 2025). Writing has remained stable at around 68% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
26.4
Avg class size
23.0
Infant (KS1)
31.0
KS2
5
Total classes
2 classes with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy.
- Carlton Infants Wraparound Care390m away · Not yet graded
- The Lime Trees at Parkdale510m away · Not yet graded
- Tb sport at St Johns (Colwick)990m away · Not yet graded
Term dates
The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy is an academy, so it sets its own term dates: check the school's website. As a guide, see Nottinghamshire's term dates for its community schools.
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy is in Nottinghamshire; for families living there:
- Nottinghamshire's school travel policy: Under 16 Transport Policy 2026-2027
- How to apply: Apply for under 16 travel assistance
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 26
- Fatal
- 1
- Serious
- 7
- Children hurt
- 2
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 26 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 7 serious and 18 slight.
2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot.
4 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Nottinghamshire is 10 (the median across 370 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy
Will you get a place at The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy:
- The straight-line distance from your home to The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Nottinghamshire, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Nottinghamshire got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
£9.99 once
One school, inc. VAT. Or £19.99 for up to three schools.
Pro £9 a month, every report included, cancel any time
A report for any school, plus everything else in Pro.
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
96%
Near capacity
201 pupils
210 places
9 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Nottingham
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Nottingham
Across Nottinghamshire council
Places available
10,513
Applications
7,912
Got 1st preference
99.1%
Got preferred school
99.7%
All primary applications across Nottinghamshire council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(2)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
29
SEN Support
4
EHC Plans
15.1%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
219
Total Pupils
115
Boys
104
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
10
Teachers
21.9:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£54,347
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£5,336
Per pupil
£1208k
Total funding
£45k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
5.8%
Overall absence
12.4%
Persistent absence
186
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy
Questions parents ask about The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy
What are SATs results like at The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy?
Of the pupils at The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 64% reached the expected standard in reading and 68% did so in maths.
What is The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy's Ofsted rating?
The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy's most recent Ofsted inspection, in April 2025, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in January 2019, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy?
No fixed boundary. When The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy is oversubscribed, Nottinghamshire allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy?
The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy was close to full in 2025, at 96% of its capacity.
How big are the classes at The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy?
Classes at The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy average 26.4 pupils (2025/26). 2 classes have more than 30 pupils - infant classes are capped at 30 by law, with limited exceptions.
How many pupils go to The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy?
The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy has around 219 pupils on roll. 14% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy?
5.8% of sessions were missed at The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy in 2024/25. 12.4% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy?
Apply through Nottinghamshire's coordinated admissions process, naming The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
Does The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists 3 out-of-school clubs within a kilometre of The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy: Carlton Infants Wraparound Care (390m away, registered, not yet graded), The Lime Trees at Parkdale (510m away, registered, not yet graded) and Tb sport at St Johns (Colwick) (990m away, registered, not yet graded). The school may also run its own clubs, which don't have to register with Ofsted.
How many road collisions happen near The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 26 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: 1 fatal, 7 serious and 18 slight. 2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot. 4 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Nottinghamshire is 10 (the median across 370 schools, same distance and years).
Where is The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy?
The Sacred Heart Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy is at Southcliffe Road, Carlton, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG4 1EQ.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)