Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy, Nottingham
Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy is a primary school for pupils aged 3 to 11 in Nottingham, part of L.e.a.d. Academy Trust. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in January 2015. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in November 2024 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 93rd-highest of the 191 schools in Nottingham with published results, and 6,288th of 14,452 across England. It was 99% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- In line with England
- Ofsted
- Good (2015)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- Below England average
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 80 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Nottingham (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy in detail
Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy in its own words
Clubs and activities named on the school's website include cricket, drama, Lego, Spanish and book club.
The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.
Clubs (school website)Wraparound care (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 78% of Year 6 pupils at Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 80% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 73% and 73% in Nottingham and 77% and 75% across England.
Results rose from 74% in reading and 70% in maths in 2024.
Getting a place at Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy
For September 2026 entry, 31 families put Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy as their first choice and 51 named it as one of their preferences, for 33 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy are Edale Rise Primary & Nursery School (0.2 miles, Good, 79% reading, 72% maths); Sneinton St Stephen's CofE Primary School (0.3 miles, Outstanding, 97% reading, 83% maths); William Booth Primary and Nursery School (0.4 miles, Good, 71% reading, 64% maths); and Blue Bell Hill Primary and Nursery School (0.7 miles, Good, 86% reading, 82% maths).
Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.
Edale Rise Primary & Nursery SchoolSneinton St Stephen's CofE Primary SchoolWilliam Booth Primary and Nursery SchoolBlue Bell Hill Primary and Nursery School
The trust
Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy is one of 27 schools run by L.e.a.d. Academy Trust, an academy trust.
What parents say
25 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy (as of September 2025): 96% would recommend the school, 100% say their child is happy there and 88% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (100%); the weakest, that the school has high expectations for their child (80%).
Who goes there
38.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 70% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are Asian (36%), Black (20%) and other ethnic groups (12%).
In 2026, 95 pupils (20.7%) received SEN support and 9 (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.
Getting there
The nearest tram or metro stop is Lace Market Tram Stop, about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.
12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Sandringham Road, 110 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 612 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and other theft. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Nottingham (391), as is usual near a town centre.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy issued 16 suspensions, 3.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy are Nottingham Academy (0.6 miles) and Clayfield House (1.2 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
Location
Every family who put it first was offered a place for 2026 entry, so distance did not limit places that year.
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoThis judgement is from January 2015, 11 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: Standards have been maintained.
Ofsted's report, in its own words
What is it like to attend this school?
This is a warm and welcoming school. In the morning, pupils walk through the gates with smiles on their faces. They are greeted by caring staff who know them well. Pupils trust staff to keep them safe. The school sets high expectations for learning and behaviour. Pupils consistently demonstrate positive attitudes. They work hard and achieve well.
Pupils get on well together. They enjoy learning from each other, especially about the different languages, cultures and religions that exist in school. For example, on international day, pupils, parents and carers all come together to talk about their cultures and dress in clothes that represent their different national identities.
What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?
The school's curriculum is ambitious. It is clear what the school wants pupils to learn in each subject. Knowledge is set out and taught in a way that helps pupils build on what they know already and make connections in their learning. The school identifies pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) quickly. These pupils are well supported, for example learning activities are designed to meet their needs and help them to achieve well.
Teachers have strong subject knowledge. They explain concepts clearly. There is a high priority placed on building pupils' communication skills. This begins in the early years where staff use rhymes, songs and stories to develop children's vocabulary. Pupils across the school readily discuss their learning. In lessons, teachers provide lots of opportunities for pupils to practise what they have learned. They check pupils' work carefully and provide guidance to help pupils improve. However, in some subjects, the school has not established routines for checking how well pupils can remember what they have learned. This means that the school does not accurately identify when pupils have gaps in their understanding or misconceptions in these subjects.
From Ofsted's November 2024 ungraded inspection report: the opening paragraphs of each section, quoted word for word. Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
Ofsted rated this school Good at its January 2015 inspection - up from Inadequate.
Rated Good for
Leadership & management.
At a Glance
38.5%
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 improved from 74% to 78% (2024 to 2025). Maths has improved from 70% to 80% (2024 to 2025). Writing has improved from 74% to 80% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
28.8
Avg class size
29.3
Infant (KS1)
29.9
KS2
16
Total classes
2 classes with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Social & online
Keep up with Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy.
- Genius Tuition Nottingham Limited840m away · Not yet graded
Term dates
Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy is an academy, so it sets its own term dates: check the school's website. As a guide, see Nottingham's term dates for its community schools.
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy is in Nottingham; for families living there:
Apply to Nottingham for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 39
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 7
- Children hurt
- 13
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 39 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 7 serious and 32 slight.
13 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 11 on foot and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise.
14 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 Nottingham is 37 (the median across 119 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 Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy
Will you get a place at Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Nottingham, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Nottingham 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.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
99%
Near capacity
416 pupils
420 places
4 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 Nottingham council
Places available
3,880
Applications
2,934
Got 1st preference
94.9%
Got preferred school
98.9%
All primary applications across Nottingham council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(3)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
95
SEN Support
9
EHC Plans
22.6%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
460
Total Pupils
237
Boys
223
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
23
Teachers
20.0:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£47,975
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£6,100
Per pupil
£2938k
Total funding
£264k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
7.1%
Overall absence
21.0%
Persistent absence
381
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
Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy
Questions parents ask about Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy
What are SATs results like at Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy?
Of the pupils at Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 78% reached the expected standard in reading and 80% did so in maths.
What is Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy's Ofsted rating?
Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy's most recent Ofsted inspection, in November 2024, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in January 2015, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy?
No fixed boundary. When Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy is oversubscribed, Nottingham allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy?
Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy was close to full in 2025, at 99% of its capacity.
How big are the classes at Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy?
Classes at Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy average 28.8 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 Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy?
Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy has around 460 pupils on roll. 39% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy?
7.1% of sessions were missed at Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy in 2024/25. 21% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy?
Apply through Nottingham's coordinated admissions process, naming Windmill L.E.A.D. 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 Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists an out-of-school club within a kilometre of Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy: Genius Tuition Nottingham Limited (840m 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 Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 39 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 7 serious and 32 slight. 13 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 11 on foot and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise. 14 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 Nottingham is 37 (the median across 119 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy?
Windmill L.E.A.D. Academy is at Sneinton Boulevard, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG2 4FZ.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)