Classpot

Highwoods Academy

Doncaster, S64 9ESPrimaryAges 3–11MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Nov 2021
KS2 Results
66%
meeting expected standard in RWM
Competition
1.0×
Not oversubscribed
18 1st-choice / 18 places
Ranking
#5,789
of 13,686 nationally

About Highwoods Academy

Highwoods Academy is a popular choice among Doncaster families, and the numbers back that up. For the 2025/26 reception intake, the school received 28 applications for just 18 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.56. All 18 first-preference families were offered a spot, which suggests that while demand is healthy, those who really want a place here have a strong chance of getting one. The school has a nursery provision for younger children, so families can start their journey early. With 201 pupils on roll against a capacity of 262, there is some room to grow, and the school serves a community where 47.2% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average. This context matters when looking at the school’s achievements, as it shows the staff are working with a cohort that faces significant challenges.

Key Details

School TypePrimary (State)
Age Range3 to 11 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressHighwoods Road, Mexborough, Doncaster, S64 9ES
HeadteacherPaul Rust
Local AuthorityDoncaster
Number of Pupils201
Free School Meals (FSM)47.2%
School Capacity201 / 262 (77% full)
Nursery ClassesYes

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

23 Nov 2021
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Early Years Provision
Good

Source: Ofsted, 16 Jan 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

6
LibraryPlaying FieldsDining HallForest SchoolOutdoor PlaygroundChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

9

Sports

GymnasticsSwimmingFootballCross CountryTennis

Clubs & Activities

CodingDramaChoirArt Club

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

DyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageLearning Difficulty

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:50 – 15:15

Source: highwoods.doncaster.sch.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Highwoods Academy

Highwoods Academy has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.