The Laurel Academy
About The Laurel Academy
The Laurel Academy is a secondary school in Doncaster that has clearly caught the attention of local families. For entry in 2025/26, the school received 147 applications for 120 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.23. That means for every place available, more than one family wanted it, and 112 of those applications were first-preference choices. While the school doesn't publish a parent satisfaction survey, this level of demand is a strong signal that it's a popular option in the area. The school is led by headteacher Katy Taylor-Clarke and caters to 758 pupils aged 11 to 16. It's a mixed, state-funded secondary with no sixth form, so students will need to move on elsewhere after Year 11. The school also has a relatively high proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals, at 45.5%, which is worth noting for context.
Key Details
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 EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
22 Feb 2023Source: Ofsted, 26 Apr 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
15Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Laurel Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications