Spa Academy Askern, Doncaster

Ofsted's report card from its 2 June 2026 inspection grades Spa Academy Askern on 6 areas: 1 strong standard, 2 expected standard and 3 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders have put the personal development and wellbeing of pupils at the heart of the school's work."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders demonstrate a clear commitment to supporting vulnerable pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who are disadvantaged."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders' well-judged actions have brought about some notable improvements to this school."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Pupils' achievement across school is variable."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Over time, pupils' attendance has not been high enough."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Leaders have significantly developed the curriculum."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that all staff teach the curriculum consistently and effectively so that pupils build foundational skills and knowledge across all subjects"; "Leaders should continue to work on improvement strategies so that all pupils achieve as high as they possibly can, across the curriculum, before leaving the school"; "Leaders should embed their work to increase pupils' attendance to ensure that improvements are sustained over time".

In its own words: "Spa Academy Askern is based in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. We have around 250 pupils on roll ranging from Year 3 to Year 6. We are very proud to be part of the Leger Education Trust since June 2019."

The school runs a breakfast club.

In 2025, 69% of Year 6 pupils at Spa Academy Askern reached the expected standard in reading and 71% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 76% and 77% in Doncaster and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 54% in reading and 67% in maths in 2024.

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

Across Doncaster, 97% of families were offered their first-choice primary school for 2026 entry, and 99% were offered one of the schools they named.

In 2026, families in Doncaster lodged 123 appeals against primary school offers; 56 reached a hearing and 16 succeeded (28.6% of those heard).

The nearest other state primary schools to Spa Academy Askern are Askern Littlemoor Infant Academy (0.2 miles, Good); Askern Moss Road Infant Academy (0.8 miles, Good); Norton Junior School (1.6 miles, Good, 64% reading, 80% maths); and Norton Infant School (1.6 miles, Good).

Spa Academy Askern is one of 8 schools run by Leger Education Trust, an academy trust.

50.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 10.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 48 pupils (19%) received SEN support and 4 (1.6%) 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 a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

The nearest railway station is Adwick Rail Station, about 2.7 miles away in a straight line.

12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Sutton Road/Manor Way (adjacent), 50 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Spa Academy Askern stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 86 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and other theft. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Doncaster (131).

In 2024/25, Spa Academy Askern issued 49 suspensions, 20.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.