Mercer's Wood Academy

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 5 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Ropery Road, Gainsborough, DN21 2PDOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Mercer's Wood Academy is a primary school in Gainsborough for ages 5 to 11. It is one of the 393 schools in Lincolnshire. It ranks 15th of 16 primary schools in Gainsborough. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in September 2022.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 13 September 2022, report published 17 October 2022

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Early years provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 13 September 2022

Mercer's Wood Academy vision is that pupils strive to be 'the best version of ourselves'. Leaders have worked tirelessly to make this a reality. They have high expectations of pupils from the day they start school. Leaders want pupils to know that their futures are full of possibilities. As a result of the caring and calm school environment, pupils thrive. Pupils are happy at the school. One pupil described the school as 'the best school on the planet'. Staff and pupils enjoy positive relationships based on mutual respect. Adults are kind to pupils. Pupils know that the grown-ups in school will help them if they are worried or upset. Pupils say that bullying is not tolerated, but if it happens a member of staff will sort it out quickly. In lessons and at play, pupils behave well. They help each other and speak to each other politely. The school's behaviour system is clear and well known and understood by pupils. They say their teachers use it fairly. Pupils, staff, parents and governors are proud to be part of the school. Everyone agrees that the school has improved. One parent commented, 'This is a school that goes the extra mile.'

What the school should improve

  • For a small number of pupils, the books they are given to read are not closely matched to the sounds they know. As a result, pupils do not experience success as they read and do not learn to read as quickly as they could. Leaders should ensure that the reading books given to pupils enable them to read with fluency and ever-increasing confidence.
  • There are a significant number of pupils who do not attend well and are persistently absent. They miss considerable teaching time and are at risk of not being well prepared for the next stage in their education. Leaders must work closely with parents and carers to ensure that pupils attend school on every possible day.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

28 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths29%

29%, 33 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 8 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score100

100, 6 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score102

102, 3 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score99

99, 6 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

157 pupils on roll, with places for 210

Eligible for free school meals75.8%

75.8%, 49.3 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language4.5%

4.5%, 17.1 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support22.9%

22.9%, 8.1 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan5.1%

5.1%, 0.9 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Mercer's Wood Academy

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
The Gainsborough Parish Church Primary School0.5 milesReport card: Needs attention to expected standard49% met the expected standard
Handel House Preparatory School0.5 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published
Castle Wood Academy0.6 milesOfsted: Good40% met the expected standard
Morton Trentside Primary School0.6 milesOfsted: Good71% met the expected standard
White's Wood Academy1 mileOfsted: Good30% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy sponsor led
Sector
Academy
Trust
TALL OAKS ACADEMY TRUST LTD
Age range
5 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mr Kieran Ola
Address
Ropery Road, Gainsborough, DN21 2PD
Local authority
Lincolnshire
URN
139332

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.