Highwoods Academy

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.

Academically, Highwoods is a solid performer within Doncaster. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 assessments, 66% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, which is above the local authority average of 61%. That places the school 31st out of 87 primary schools in Doncaster, putting it in the top half of the local league table. Looking at individual subjects, 76% met the expected standard in both reading and writing, and 69% did so in maths. The proportion reaching the higher standard across all three subjects was 7%, with reading and writing both seeing 21% hitting that higher bar. The average scaled scores were 103 in both reading and maths, exactly in line with the national average of 100. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in November 2021 rated it Good across the board, including behaviour, personal development and leadership, a clear improvement from its previous Requires Improvement rating in 2017.

The school offers a practical, well-equipped environment for its pupils. Facilities include a library, playing fields, a forest school area, an outdoor playground and even a chapel. Sports provision covers gymnastics, swimming, football, cross country and tennis, while after-school clubs include coding, drama, choir and art club. For families with children who need extra support, the school has identified SEND provisions for specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional mental health needs, and speech, language and communication needs. Highwoods is a state-funded, mixed primary school for ages 3 to 11 with no religious character, and it does not have a sixth form. It suits families who want a community-focused primary that is oversubscribed but still accessible, with strong local results and a clear record of improvement under headteacher Paul Rust.

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