Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Primary School, Doncaster

Ofsted's report card from its 14 April 2026 inspection grades Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Primary School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard and 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "At the heart of the school's successful approach to attendance is the establishment of positive and respectful relationships with pupils, parents and carers."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Leaders ensure that pupils gain the knowledge that they need in the early stages of reading, writing and mathematics to successfully access the curriculum as they progress through the school."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have implemented a carefully designed curriculum."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children in the early years enjoy their time in the classroom and large outside area."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders have ensured that staff are appropriately trained to identify and support the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, or who face barriers to their learning."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "The school has undergone a significant period of change in leadership this academic year."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have prioritised actions to support pupils' personal development and wellbeing."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to refine the implementation of the school's approach to curriculum and teaching so that disadvantaged pupils and those who face barriers to their learning consistently benefit"; "Leaders, including those with responsibility for governance, should continue to develop strategies to review actions taken to improve the school, evaluating the impact of these actions on pupils' learning and development"; "Leaders should further develop opportunities in the early years for staff to consistently use their interactions with children to move learning forward".

From the headteacher's welcome: "At Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a small and friendly Catholic primary school in the heart of Bentley, Doncaster, we are proud of the strong sense of community that makes our school such a special place. Rooted in our faith, we strive to nurture each child spiritually, academically, and socially, helping them to grow into kind, confident, and resilient individuals."

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care, from £5 per session.

In 2025, 65% of Year 6 pupils at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 70% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 77% in Doncaster and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 82% in reading and 71% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 17 families put Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Primary School as their first choice and 32 named it as one of their preferences, for 19 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 Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Primary School are Bentley New Village Primary School (0.3 miles, Good, 63% reading, 74% maths); Bentley High Street Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 90% reading, 88% maths); Arksey Primary School (0.7 miles, Good, 83% reading, 83% maths); and Scawthorpe Castle Hills Primary Academy (0.9 miles, 82% reading, 82% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Primary School.

33.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 28.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (54%), Black (16%) and Mixed (5%).

In 2026, 27 pupils (19.9%) received SEN support and 0 (0%) 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.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Primary School had 8 teachers in 2026, one for every 15 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Bentley (S Yorks) Rail Station, about 720 metres away (roughly a 9-minute walk).

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Arksey Lane/The Avenue (adjacent), 80 metres away.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Primary School are Don Valley Academy (1.2 miles) and Ridgewood School (1.8 miles).