Simpson's Lane Academy

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 3 to 11
Ofsted judgements: Outstanding

Sycamore Avenue, Knottingley, WF11 0PJOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Simpson's Lane Academy is a primary school in Knottingley for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 155 schools in Wakefield. It ranks 11th of 98 primary schools in Wakefield. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in June 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 24 June 2025, report published 20 July 2025

This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.

Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Early years provision
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 24 June 2025

Simpson's Lane Academy is full of happy, polite and considerate pupils who thrive in the remarkable environment that leaders have crafted over time. Pupils' love of learning and respect for one another radiate throughout the school. They are exceptional ambassadors for their school. They enjoy highly positive and nurturing relationships with staff. Pupils are safe. They talk eloquently about how staff ensure that this is the case. The school has established very high expectations for pupils' academic and wider development. Pupils get every opportunity to excel. Staff do their utmost to ensure that pupils achieve exceptionally well. Outcomes in national tests are high. In lessons and at unstructured times, pupils embody the school's behaviour principles of 'good to be green', where maintaining high standards of behaviour is celebrated. They demonstrate a well-developed sense of empathy and understanding. They are exceptionally well prepared to become active, socially aware citizens within the wider community. Parental engagement is a high priority for the school. Parents and carers are overwhelmingly supportive of the school. They praise teachers for 'going above and beyond' and mention children who are 'thriving'. Such comments reflect the findings of the inspection team.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

44 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths84%

84%, 22 percentage points above the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths11%

11%, 3 percentage points above the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score107

107, 1 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score108

108, 3 above the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score106

106, 1 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

387 pupils on roll, with places for 577

Eligible for free school meals51.4%

51.4%, 24.9 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language11.4%

11.4%, 10.2 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support18.1%

18.1%, 3.3 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.6%

2.6%, 3.4 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Simpson's Lane Academy

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
The Vale Primary Academy0.5 milesOfsted judgements: Outstanding76% met the expected standard
England Lane Academy0.7 milesOfsted: Outstanding85% met the expected standard
Willow Green Academy1 mileOfsted: Good63% met the expected standard
St Botolphs CE Academy1 mileOfsted judgements: Good to outstanding65% met the expected standard
Holy Family and St Michael's Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary Academy1 mileOfsted: Good35% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
DELTA ACADEMIES TRUST
Age range
3 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
Yes
Headteacher
Mr Lee Colley
Address
Sycamore Avenue, Knottingley, WF11 0PJ
Local authority
Wakefield
URN
138535

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.