South Axholme Academy

  • Secondary
  • Academy
  • Ages 11 to 16
Ofsted: Good

Burnham Road, Epworth, Doncaster, DN9 1BYOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

South Axholme Academy is a secondary school in Doncaster for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 90 schools in North Lincolnshire. It ranks 3rd of 21 secondary schools in Doncaster. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in January 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 18 January 2023, report published 12 March 2023

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Sixth form provision
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 18 January 2023

South Axholme Academy is a warm and welcoming school. Leaders ensure that their decisions support pupils to achieve excellence and be ready, respectful and resilient in all that they do. Pupils' behaviour is calm and purposeful. They show high levels of self-control. In lessons, pupils focus fully on their work. Disruption to learning is exceptionally uncommon. Pupils get along well together and with adults working in the school. Bullying is very rare but, if it does happen, it is dealt with speedily and effectively. Pupils feel safe in school. Pupils benefit from a well-considered personal development curriculum that supports them to be ready for the next stage of their educational journey and for life in modern Britain. The personal development program for students in the sixth form is not as carefully designed. Some sixth-form students do not feel well prepared for the next stages of their lives. Pupils, and students, receive a high-quality education. This includes those post-16 students who receive some of their lessons at another college. Leaders have designed ambitious curriculums. Teachers are skilled and knowledgeable. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported well. Pupils learn effectively and achieve highly in the qualifications they study.

What the school should improve

  • The curriculum in a small number of subjects is not carefully planned, and implementation is less consistent. As a result, pupils' learning is not as strong in these subjects by the end of key stage 3. Pupils who take these subjects at GCSE do not perform as highly. Leaders should ensure that the plans, and steps already taken, to improve the quality of education in these subjects are implemented and carefully monitored for effectiveness.
  • Students in key stage 5 do not benefit from a coherent personal development programme. As a result, students are not, and do not, feel fully prepared for the next stages of their lives. Leaders must ensure that the personal development programme for those students who remain in the sixth form meets their needs.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

178 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score53.2

53.2, 7.1 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths60.7%

60.7%, 15.3 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths74.7%

74.7%, 9.9 percentage points above the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc34.3%

34.3%, 6.2 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.65

4.65, 0.56 above the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

910 pupils on roll, with places for 1,165

Eligible for free school meals18.4%

18.4%, 8.1 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language1.8%

1.8%, 19.8 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support13.5%

13.5%, 1.3 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan3.2%

3.2%, 2.8 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near South Axholme Academy

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
The Axholme Academy5 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 38.4
The Acres Independent School7 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 6.7
Melior Community Academy7 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 43.1
OneSchool Global UK Ridgeway Campus7 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 53.8
Frederick Gough School8 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 42.2

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
ISLE EDUCATION TRUST
Age range
11 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
No
Headteacher
Mrs Stephanie Hamilton
Address
Burnham Road, Epworth, Doncaster, DN9 1BY
Local authority
North Lincolnshire
URN
137742

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.