Pheasant Bank Academy

About Pheasant Bank Academy

Pheasant Bank Academy is a state primary school in Doncaster for pupils aged 7 to 11, and it sits in a competitive local landscape. In the most recent local authority rankings, the school placed 47th out of 98 same-type schools in Doncaster, with a ranking score of 62 based on the proportion of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. That puts it just below the middle of the pack, though it is worth noting that the top three performers in the area — Crookesbroom Primary Academy, St Oswald's CofE Academy and Arksey Primary School — all scored significantly higher. The nearest school rated Outstanding by Ofsted is Grange Lane Infant Academy, only 0.7 kilometres away. With 362 pupils on roll against a capacity of 400, the school is nearly full, and 45 per cent of its pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the national average. Headteacher Ryan Schofield leads a mixed-gender, non-religious school that has no nursery provision and is not a boarding school.

Academically, Pheasant Bank Academy’s most recent Key Stage 2 results from the 2023/24 academic year show that 62 per cent of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths — almost exactly in line with the local authority average of 61 per cent. However, only 3 per cent of pupils reached the higher standard in all three subjects, which is low. In individual subjects, writing saw the highest expected attainment at 79 per cent, followed by maths at 72 per cent and reading at 69 per cent. Average scaled scores were 103 in maths and 102 in reading. The school’s Ofsted rating is Good, a significant improvement from its previous Inadequate rating. In its most recent graded inspection, the school received Good for overall effectiveness, leadership and management, and behaviour and attitudes. An ungraded inspection in February 2024 confirmed the school remains Good and is improving. Nationally, the school ranks in the 53rd percentile among primary schools.

The school offers a solid range of facilities, including playing fields, a sports hall, an ICT suite, art studios, music rooms, a library and a chapel. Sports provision includes tennis, cricket, gymnastics, football and cross country, while clubs cover chess, science and eco activities. For families with children who have additional needs, the school’s SEND provisions are broad, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech and language communication needs, hearing and visual impairments, physical disabilities and autistic spectrum disorder. This makes it a practical option for parents seeking a mainstream setting with strong SEND support. The school is not oversubscribed, with 38 spare places, and its improving Ofsted trajectory may appeal to families who value a school that has turned around its performance. It suits those who want a local, inclusive primary with decent facilities and a clear upward trend, rather than a top-ranked academic performer.

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