SchoolScoresDon Valley Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of DELTA ACADEMIES TRUST
Jossey Lane, Scawthorpe, Doncaster, DN5 9DD
01302 651035 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 2 April 2019.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 3 July 2024: Ofsted found the school was still Good and may be improving, so its next inspection will be a full graded one.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
72 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Doncaster comparisons use the 11 of its 22 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 11 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Doncaster | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 8th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Doncaster. Higher than 17% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 68% | 74% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 6th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Doncaster. Higher than 25% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 76% | 77% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 6th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Doncaster. Higher than 29% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 68% | 69% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 31 parents whose child had been bullied Joint 5th highest of 10 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Doncaster. Higher than 22% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 39% | 40% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 57 parents who had raised a concern 8th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Doncaster. Higher than 13% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 49% | 58% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 7th highest of 11 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Doncaster. Higher than 21% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 64%said yes | 68% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Doncaster figures pool parents at the Doncaster schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
198 pupils in this year group.
55% — 11 points above the Doncaster average, and 10 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Doncaster | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 55% | 44% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 48 | 44.6 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.4 | 3.8 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
178 pupils in this year group.
85% — 3 points below the Doncaster average, and 7 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Doncaster | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 85% | 88% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 19% | 29% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 22% | 18% | 13% |
| Further education college | 39% | 31% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 4% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 89% | 85% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Doncaster. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 222 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 203 |
| Of those, offered a place | 203 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 338 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 0.9
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Doncaster | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 6th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Doncaster. Higher than 78% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 41.0% | 32.8%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 5th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Doncaster. Higher than 51% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.0% | 2.3%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 17th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Doncaster. Higher than 25% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.4% | 12.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 8th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Doncaster. Higher than 46% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 10.8% | 12.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 11th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in Doncaster. Lower than 56% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 8.0% | 8.0%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 10th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in Doncaster. Lower than 55% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 22.5% | 23.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 18th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in Doncaster. Lower than 4% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 78.6 | 47.3 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 19th lowest of 21 state secondary schools in Doncaster. Lower than 5% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 18.6% | 12.3% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded7 pupils | 0.64% | 0.31% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 21 state secondary schools in Doncaster. Higher than 99% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 22.8 | 17.2 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 21 state secondary schools in Doncaster. Higher than 96% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 15.1 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 15th highest of 21 state secondary schools in Doncaster. Higher than 18% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 8.3% | 13.6%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- Ridgewood School 0.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 55% grade 5+ English and maths
- Outwood Academy Adwick 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 42% grade 5+ English and maths
- Doncaster UTC 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 35% grade 5+ English and maths
- Hall Cross Academy 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Don Valley Academy's Ofsted rating?
Don Valley Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 2 April 2019. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 3 July 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good and may be improving, so its next inspection will be a full graded one.
How did Don Valley Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 55% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 10 points above the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend Don Valley Academy?
64% of the 72 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Don Valley Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Don Valley Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 203 families put Don Valley Academy as their first choice for 222 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 203 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 137472.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.