Rawmarsh Community School

About Rawmarsh Community School

Rawmarsh Community School is a state secondary for 11- to 16-year-olds in Rotherham, and its intake tells a clear story about the community it serves. The school is currently slightly over capacity, with 1,091 pupils against a published capacity of 1,075, and it was oversubscribed for 2025/26 entry: 202 families applied for 183 places, with 173 first-preference offers made. That gives an oversubscription ratio of 1.1, suggesting steady local demand. More telling is the proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals, which stands at 40.4%. That is significantly higher than the national average for secondary schools, and it places Rawmarsh among the most economically diverse intakes in the area. The school is non-denominational and mixed, with no sixth form or nursery provision, so pupils typically leave at 16. Headteacher Mark Conlin leads a school that, on paper, is managing both capacity pressure and a high-needs cohort.

Academically, Rawmarsh sits below the local average on the key headline measure. Its Progress 8 score for 2023/24 was -0.43, which is classified as 'Below average' and places it 14th out of 16 schools in Rotherham. For context, the local authority average Progress 8 is -0.15, so pupils here make less progress than peers in similar schools across the borough. The Attainment 8 score is 38.7, and just 29.5% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths (the basics95 measure). The EBacc entry rate is high at 75%, but only 2.7% of pupils achieved the full EBacc at grade 5 or above. In its most recent graded Ofsted inspection in 2017, the school was rated Good overall, with Good for leadership and management. An ungraded inspection in 2022 confirmed the school remains Good. That is an improvement from its previous Requires Improvement rating in 2014.

The school offers a broad range of facilities, including science labs, art studios, a swimming pool, sports hall, and playing fields, plus a library and a sixth form centre (though there is no sixth form on site). Sports on offer include rowing, rugby, cricket, martial arts, and dance, and there are clubs such as eco club, debate, model UN, and choir. For families with children who have special educational needs, Rawmarsh lists provisions for a wide range of needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health support. This is a school that suits families who want a genuinely comprehensive local option with strong facilities and a clear pastoral structure, but who are realistic about academic outcomes being below the local average. The oversubscription suggests it remains a popular choice within its catchment, particularly for those prioritising proximity and inclusion over league table position.

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