Mercer's Wood Academy, Gainsborough

From the headteacher's welcome: "Our team of hard-working, dedicated, committed and caring professionals all work together to make sure our school is a happy and safe place for all of our pupils to make memories and to prepare them for the next stages of education. Our school values drive everything we do: wellbeing, aspiration, engagement and resilience."

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.

In 2025, 54% of Year 6 pupils at Mercer's Wood Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 68% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 72% and 71% in Lincolnshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 43% in reading and 57% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 14 families put Mercer's Wood Academy as their first choice and 38 named it as one of their preferences, for 16 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Mercer's Wood Academy are The Gainsborough Parish Church Primary School (0.5 miles, Requires improvement, 67% reading, 58% maths); Castle Wood Academy (0.6 miles, Good, 61% reading, 68% maths); Morton Trentside Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 79% reading, 71% maths); and White's Wood Academy (1.2 miles, Good, 44% reading, 44% maths).

Mercer's Wood Academy's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Mercer's Wood Academy is one of 3 schools run by Tall Oaks Academy Trust Ltd, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 34% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

75.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 4.5% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (73%), Black (9%) and Mixed (6%).

In 2026, 36 pupils (22.9%) received SEN support and 8 (5.1%) 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.

The nearest railway station is Gainsborough Central Rail Station, about 0.8 miles away in a straight line.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Melrose Road (adjacent), 70 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Mercer's Wood Academy stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 198 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Lincolnshire (33), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Mercer's Wood Academy issued 80 suspensions, 45.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 3 permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Mercer's Wood Academy are The Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough (0.4 miles); and The Gainsborough Academy (1.1 miles).