Southfield Primary, Doncaster

Ofsted's report card from its 17 March 2026 inspection grades Southfield Primary on 7 areas: 3 strong standard and 4 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. "Leaders' meticulous approach to improving attendance means that pupils' attendance is high and above the national average."

Early years - Strong standard. "Staff have an excellent understanding of the early years curriculum, which sets out the words and sounds each child needs to use confidently."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Pupils have a detailed understanding of important aspects of the personal, social, health and economic curriculum and talk about these with maturity."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils achieve very well by the end of Year 6."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have a clear understanding of the quality of the curriculum and teaching."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders and staff know pupils well."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Trustees have a clear understanding of the school's strengths and areas for improvement."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should develop staff expertise and subject knowledge to improve teaching across the foundation subjects so that pupils produce higher-quality work and develop more secure knowledge"; "Leaders should use more precise and responsive approaches to further develop areas of the school they have identified as priorities so that they can effectively evaluate the impact of their actions".

In its own words: "At Southfield, we want you to love your learning and be interested in what you do at school and beyond. We want you to learn to be creative and independent and to be resilient in everything you do - even if you fail! In our school, we have very high expectations of you all."

From the headteacher's welcome: "We want you to be proud of your roots and develop your sense of community. To become critical thinkers and problem solvers who are prepared for modern life. Together we will nurture your mind, spirit and emotions to enable you to take your place in the global world."

In 2025, 100% of Year 6 pupils at Southfield Primary reached the expected standard in reading and 97% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 77% in Doncaster and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 88% in reading and 92% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 31 families put Southfield Primary as their first choice and 52 named it as one of their preferences, for 30 places offered. That is slightly more first choices than places. 2 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Southfield Primary are Tranmoor Primary (0.2 miles, Good, 69% reading, 68% maths); Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Voluntary Academy (0.6 miles, Good, 89% reading, 93% maths); Armthorpe Shaw Wood Academy (0.8 miles, Good, 84% reading, 80% maths); and Edenthorpe Hall Primary Academy (1.4 miles, Good, 66% reading, 69% maths).

Southfield Primary's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

Southfield Primary 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.

49 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Southfield Primary (as of April 2026): 82% would recommend the school, 86% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (92%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).

11.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 10.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (79%) and Mixed (6%).

In 2026, 29 pupils (11.7%) received SEN support and 7 (2.8%) 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 Kirk Sandall Rail Station, about 2.3 miles away in a straight line.

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Tranmoor Lane/Eastfield Road (opposite), 120 metres away.

In 2024/25, Southfield Primary issued 15 suspensions, 5.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Southfield Primary are Armthorpe Academy (0.6 miles), Outwood Academy Danum (1.1 miles), Hungerhill School (1.5 miles) and The McAuley Catholic High School (1.7 miles).