Bracken Lane Primary Academy
Bracken Lane, Retford, DN22 7EUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Bracken Lane Primary Academy is a primary school in Retford for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 364 schools in Nottinghamshire. It ranks 4th of 16 primary schools in Retford. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2013.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 24 January 2013, report published 14 February 2013
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 30 June 2026
Pupils are proud to belong to this welcoming school. They feel safe, happy and valued. Staff know pupils well and build warm, trusting relationships with them. Pupils know that adults will listen if they have a worry. They are confident that any bullying is dealt with quickly and fairly. Pupils behave well. They are polite, respectful and considerate of others. Calm routines begin in the early years and continue throughout the school. Pupils move around the school sensibly and work together cooperatively. They enjoy coming to school and attend regularly. Pupils who need additional support with their attendance or behaviour receive it quickly. This helps them to take part in each aspect of school life. Pupils achieve well. They develop secure knowledge and skills across the curriculum and remember what they have learned. They read confidently, communicate their ideas clearly and produce work which they are proud of. Disadvantaged pupils, pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and those who face other barriers to learning achieve well because staff understand their needs and provide personalised support. Pupils enjoy a wide range of opportunities beyond the classroom. They take on leadership responsibilities, attend residential visits, experience forest school and contribute to the life of the school community. These experiences help pupils develop confidence, resilience and independence. Pupils leave the school well prepared for the next stage of their education and for life in modern Britain.
What the school should improve
- Leaders should ensure continued refinement and improvement to the implementation of their curriculum to sustain and raise further the achievement of all pupils, particularly disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
29 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
233 pupils on roll, with places for 210
Schools near Bracken Lane Primary Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thrumpton Primary Academy | 0.4 miles | Report card: Expected standard | 61% met the expected standard |
| St Swithun's Church of England Primary Academy | 0.7 miles | Report card: Urgent improvement to needs attention | 17% met the expected standard |
| Ordsall Primary School | 0.9 miles | Ofsted: Good | 58% met the expected standard |
| St. Joseph's Catholic Primary School, a Voluntary Academy | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 70% met the expected standard |
| Carr Hill Primary and Nursery School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 21% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- DIVERSE ACADEMIES TRUST
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Helen Cawkill
- Phone
- 01777705017
- Address
- Bracken Lane, Retford, DN22 7EU
- Local authority
- Nottinghamshire
- URN
- 144526
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.