SchoolScoresThe Mallard Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Nursery class
Part of EXCEED LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
Cedar Road, Balby, Doncaster, DN4 9HU
01302 859116 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 1 October 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
Category of concern: Special measures.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Inadequate |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Requires improvement |
| Personal development | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Inadequate |
| Early years | Inadequate |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
26 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025.
Doncaster comparisons use the 57 of its 108 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 51 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 57th highest of 57 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Doncaster. Higher than 1% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 69% | 90% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 54th highest of 57 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Doncaster. Higher than 2% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 73% | 90% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 56th highest of 57 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Doncaster. Higher than 1% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 50% | 83% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 18 parents whose child had been bullied 19th highest of 28 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Doncaster. Higher than 16% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 39% | 43% | 50% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 25 parents who had raised a concern 50th highest of 51 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Doncaster. Higher than 1% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 40% | 74% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 56th highest of 57 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Doncaster. Higher than 1% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 42%said yes | 82% | 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
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
| Measure | This school | Doncaster | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | Not published | 63% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | Not published | 6% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | Not published | 74% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | Not published | 73% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | Not published | 75% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | Not published | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | Not published | 104 | 105 |
"Not published": No figure published.
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. 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 primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 33 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 31 |
| Of those, offered a place | 31 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 42 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 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 21st highest of 108 state primary schools in Doncaster. Higher than 85% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 44.3% | 31.1%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan Joint 48th highest of 108 state primary schools in Doncaster. Higher than 39% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.5% | 2.5%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 42nd highest of 108 state primary schools in Doncaster. Higher than 62% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 16.1% | 15.1%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 26th highest of 108 state primary schools in Doncaster. Higher than 64% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 17.5% | 16.6%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 87th lowest of 108 state primary schools in Doncaster. Lower than 23% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 6.1% | 5.1%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 88th lowest of 108 state primary schools in Doncaster. Lower than 22% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 17.6% | 13.2%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 76th lowest of 108 state primary schools in Doncaster. Lower than 28% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 2.8 | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 78th lowest of 108 state primary schools in Doncaster. Lower than 24% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.7% | 1.4% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 98th highest of 107 state primary schools in Doncaster. Higher than 15% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 16.8 | 22.0 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 77th highest of 107 state primary schools in Doncaster. Higher than 44% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 10.4 | 11.3 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 14th highest of 103 state primary schools in Doncaster. Higher than 89% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 30.0% | 12.5%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary 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 primary schools
- Waverley Academy 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 64% met expected standard (KS2)
- Sycamore Hall Preparatory School 0.5 miles · Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Woodfield Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
- Warmsworth Primary School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 76% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hexthorpe Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 21% met expected standard (KS2)
- Carr Lodge Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed, may be improving 2024 · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Balby Central Primary Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- Edlington Victoria Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020), improved significantly 2025 · 76% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024 · 69% met expected standard (KS2)
- Sprotbrough Orchard Infant School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Mallard Academy's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 1 October 2024, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
How did The Mallard Academy do in its SATs?
DfE didn't publish this figure for 2024/25. No figure published.
Would parents recommend The Mallard Academy?
42% of the 26 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend The Mallard Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is The Mallard Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 31 families put The Mallard Academy as their first choice for 33 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 31 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 150367.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 1 January 2024 to 6 January 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.