Highwoods Academy, Mexborough
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Overall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Highwoods Academy excels at creating an inclusive, supportive environment where every child is valued and supported to succeed. The school offers a rich curriculum combined with excellent personal development opportunities, and pupils benefit from caring staff who build strong relationships and help them regulate their behaviour. Parents particularly appreciate the school's strong communication and the professional support they receive.
Key Strengths
- Highly inclusive approach with excellent support for pupils with special educational needs and disadvantaged learners
- Strong personal development programme with rich visits, visitors, sporting opportunities and after-school clubs
- High-quality teaching with careful curriculum planning and precision phonics instruction
- Excellent pastoral support that develops pupils' emotional regulation and wellbeing
- Positive behaviour and relationships throughout the school
Areas for Improvement
- Published achievement outcomes not yet fully reflecting the impact of curriculum improvements
- Attendance rates still below leaders' expectations, though improving and approaching national averages
- Phonics check outcomes being prioritised for further improvement
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - leaders have created an open, positive culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and all legal requirements are fulfilled.
Extracurricular Activities
After-school clubs, visits and trips, sporting opportunities
Highwoods Academy is a happy, inclusive school at the heart of its community where pupils feel safe and supported. Leaders have developed a rigorous, ambitious curriculum tailored to all learners, including those with special needs and disadvantaged pupils.
At a Glance
50.8%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2025/26KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has improved from 76% to 86%. Maths has improved from 69% to 76%. Writing has declined from 76% to 71%.
Class Sizes
22.3
Avg class size
28.0
Infant (KS1)
25.8
KS2
9
Total classes
1 class with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
76%
Available places
198 pupils
262 capacity
64 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Mexborough
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Mexborough
Admissions Demand - Doncaster
Places available
4,207
Applications
3,084
Got 1st preference
97.1%
Got preferred school
98.8%
Primary admissions across Doncaster (2025/26)
Inspection History(104)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
6.37855%
Overall absence
17.90123%
Persistent absence
162
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
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Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Highwoods Academy
Nearby Schools
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