Cowley Academy
School Lane, Donington, Spalding, PE11 4TFOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Cowley Academy is a secondary school in Spalding for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 393 schools in Lincolnshire. It ranks 4th of 6 secondary schools in Spalding. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in May 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 20 May 2025, report published 17 June 2025
This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 20 May 2025
Pupils appreciate the significant improvements that have occurred since the school opened in 2022. They value the care given by school and trust staff. Pupils have a strong sense of belonging to the school and the academy trust. The school lives daily its core key values of, 'aspire, challenge and achieve'. Pupils are proud of their school. They feel safe. They know who to turn to if they have worries or concerns. Pupils recognise the strength of the pastoral care and the support that is readily available. The school sets high expectations of pupils and their learning. Pupils work diligently and learn well. They take pride in their work and successes. Pupils cherish their 'aspire awards'. They conduct themselves well in lessons and during breaktimes. Pupils gain from many personal development opportunities. They learn about healthy lifestyles, including physical and mental health. Pupils are taught the importance of diversity, equality and respect. Most parents and carers recognise the improvements in the school. Typical comments from parents include, 'I have nothing but praise for Cowley. My child loves coming to school and is absolutely thriving.'
What the school should improve
- The school has not fully embedded its approach to identify and provide for all pupils with SEND. As a result, some of these pupils do not develop their knowledge, understanding and skills as well as they could. The school needs to ensure that its provision for pupils with SEND enables these pupils to achieve highly.
- Opportunities to develop pupils' interests and talents are not as wide ranging as needed. As a result, pupils' interests and talents are not nurtured as well as they could be. The school needs to ensure that pupils' interests and talents are nurtured and developed.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
125 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
621 pupils on roll, with places for 650
Schools near Cowley Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heckington House School | 5 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 2.4 |
| Thomas Middlecott Academy | 6 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good | Attainment 8: 32.1 |
| Spalding Grammar School | 9 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 58.8 |
| Spalding Academy | 9 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 45.3 |
| Spalding High School | 9 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 63.0 |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- SOUTH LINCOLNSHIRE ACADEMIES TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Katherine Kilby
- Phone
- 01775820254
- Address
- School Lane, Donington, Spalding, PE11 4TF
- Local authority
- Lincolnshire
- URN
- 149436
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.