Hawthorn Primary School, Doncaster
Hawthorn Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 2 to 11 in Doncaster, part of Empowering Minds Academy Trust. It was rated Good at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in June 2024. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 77th-highest of the 96 schools in Doncaster with published results, and 11,322nd of 14,452 across England. It was 71% full in 2025.
- SATs results
- Below England average
- Ofsted
- Good (2024)
- 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 Doncaster (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
Hawthorn Primary School in detail
Hawthorn Primary School in its own words
In its own words: "Hawthorn Primary School is located within the residential area of Cantley, Doncaster. We are an Academy Primary School with a carefully planned and stimulating curriculum for children aged from 3 to 11 years of age. Hawthorn Primary School aim to create a happy, secure and caring working atmosphere in which your child can be educated to their full potential."
From the headteacher's welcome: "On behalf of all the children, staff and Academy Committee. I’d like to warmly welcome you to Hawthorn Primary School. We are a school that likes to celebrate success at every level. The life of the school is driven by enthusiasm and a desire to achieve. We aim to bring learning alive, making it exciting and stimulating."
Vision and values (school website)Headteacher's welcome (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Results
In 2025, 70% of Year 6 pupils at Hawthorn Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 64% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 77% in Doncaster and 77% and 75% across England.
Results were similar in 2024 (63% in reading, 67% in maths).
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at Hawthorn Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 19 families put Hawthorn Primary School as their first choice and 29 named it as one of their preferences, for 20 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 Hawthorn Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Hawthorn Primary School are Bessacarr Primary (0.6 miles, Good, 81% reading, 84% maths); Willow Primary School (0.9 miles, Good, 90% reading, 90% maths); Hatchell Wood Primary Academy (1 mile, Good, 48% reading, 63% maths); and Plover Primary School (1.3 miles, 75% reading, 85% maths).
Hawthorn Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.
Bessacarr PrimaryWillow Primary SchoolHatchell Wood Primary AcademyPlover Primary School
The trust
Hawthorn Primary School is one of 5 schools run by Empowering Minds Academy Trust, an academy trust.
Across the trust's primary schools, 68% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.
Who goes there
42.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 28.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (61%), Black (7%) and Asian (7%).
In 2026, 47 pupils (20.3%) received SEN support and 1 (0.4%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Doncaster Rail Station, about 2.6 miles away in a straight line.
12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Everingham Road/Elmham Road (adjacent), 230 metres away.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Hawthorn Primary School issued 1 suspension, 0.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to Hawthorn Primary School are The McAuley Catholic High School (0.8 miles) and Outwood Academy Danum (1.5 miles).
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE multi-academy trust performance data; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); 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 agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted's report, in its own words
What is it like to attend this school?
This school has undergone significant changes. Pupils and staff speak about how these changes have improved the school. Pupils say that they feel clearer about what the expectations of behaviour around school are. They speak about feeling safe. Pupils trust adults to help them if they have worries. For example, pupils talk about how they value the 'worry boxes' in classrooms that they use to write down their concerns. Relationships between pupils and staff are extremely secure.
Pupils are taught positive learning behaviours from the early years onwards. Pupils are introduced to clear and consistent routines. The school has developed a productive learning culture. There has been a reduction in the number of behaviour incidents. The school quickly identifies pupils who need support with their behaviour.
What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?
Leaders have high expectations for what pupils can achieve. The school has developed an ambitious curriculum. The school has clearly defined what pupils should learn at each stage of their education. Subject leaders have worked with staff in the early years to ensure that pupils' learning builds secure foundations in Nursery and Reception.
Pupils with SEND are quickly identified. This identification begins in the early years. In parts of the curriculum where teaching is highly consistent, such as physical education, teachers skilfully use assessment in lessons. They identify the support pupils might need and adapt their teaching accordingly. In some parts of the curriculum, teachers' adaptations to questions and tasks based on pupils' responses need further development.
From Ofsted's June 2024 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 June 2024 inspection.
Rated Good for
Quality of education, Behaviour & attitudes, Personal development, Leadership & management, Early years.
At a Glance
42.4%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 63% to 70% (2024 to 2025). Maths has remained stable at around 64% (2024 to 2025). Writing has improved from 67% to 73% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
25.7
Avg class size
28.5
Infant (KS1)
31.0
KS2
9
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 Hawthorn Primary School
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near Hawthorn Primary School.
- Bessacarr Primary School @ Activ8 Camps Ltd970m away · Not yet graded
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Hawthorn Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Hawthorn Primary School is in Doncaster; for families living there:
Apply to Doncaster for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 11
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 7
- Children hurt
- 3
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 11 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 7 serious and 4 slight.
3 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise.
1 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 Doncaster is 10 (the median across 143 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 Hawthorn Primary School
Will you get a place at Hawthorn Primary School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Hawthorn Primary School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Hawthorn Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Hawthorn Primary School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Doncaster, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Hawthorn Primary School for 2021 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Doncaster 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
71%
Available places
210 pupils
297 places
87 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Doncaster
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Doncaster
Across Doncaster council
Places available
4,235
Applications
3,089
Got 1st preference
96.5%
Got preferred school
98.8%
All primary applications across Doncaster council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
47
SEN Support
1
EHC Plans
20.8%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
231
Total Pupils
114
Boys
117
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
13
Teachers
17.8:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£49,439
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£6,002
Per pupil
£1469k
Total funding
£139k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
6.3%
Overall absence
17.5%
Persistent absence
194
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
Hawthorn Primary School
Questions parents ask about Hawthorn Primary School
What are SATs results like at Hawthorn Primary School?
Of the pupils at Hawthorn Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 70% reached the expected standard in reading and 64% did so in maths.
What is Hawthorn Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Hawthorn Primary School was rated Good at its most recent Ofsted inspection in June 2024.
What is the catchment area for Hawthorn Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When Hawthorn Primary School is oversubscribed, Doncaster allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Hawthorn Primary School?
Hawthorn Primary School was not full in 2025: it ran at 71% of its 297 places.
How big are the classes at Hawthorn Primary School?
Classes at Hawthorn Primary School average 25.7 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 Hawthorn Primary School?
Hawthorn Primary School has around 231 pupils on roll. 42% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Hawthorn Primary School?
6.3% of sessions were missed at Hawthorn Primary School in 2024/25. 17.5% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Hawthorn Primary School?
Apply through Doncaster's coordinated admissions process, naming Hawthorn Primary School 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 Hawthorn Primary School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists an out-of-school club within a kilometre of Hawthorn Primary School: Bessacarr Primary School @ Activ8 Camps Ltd (970m 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 Hawthorn Primary School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 11 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 7 serious and 4 slight. 3 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot, 1 on a bicycle and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise. 1 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 Doncaster is 10 (the median across 143 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Hawthorn Primary School?
Hawthorn Primary School is at Elmham Road, Cantley, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN4 6LQ.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)