Sycamore Hall Preparatory School
1 Hall Flat Lane, Balby, Doncaster, DN4 8PTOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Sycamore Hall Preparatory School is a primary school in Doncaster for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 136 schools in Doncaster. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2024.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 12 November 2024, report published 12 January 2025
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 12 November 2024
Sycamore Hall merges traditional values with a great education for all pupils. Staff are enthusiastic and love engaging pupils in learning. As a result, pupils embrace learning opportunities and make excellent progress across the curriculum. The school's calm, orderly environment makes pupils feel safe. This leads to pupils having strong self-discipline and a love of learning. Clear routines and high expectations encourage good behaviour. The school's star-based reward system provides significant motivation for pupils. It fosters a culture of respect and purposeful learning among all pupils. Pupils show respectful conduct, both in and out of class. Pupils are kind and provide each other with unprompted support and praise for good work. For example, pupils praise each other's singing in the school play rehearsal. The school helps the pupils learn about different faiths, beliefs and relationships. Pupils are well-rounded individuals. Leadership opportunities are well structured. School prefects and mentors feel a strong sense of duty in their roles, ranging from feeding the fish to leading the sports day teams.
What the school should improve
- Recent changes to the PSHE curriculum are not embedded. Staff are adapting to teaching the new content and getting used to addressing gaps in pupils' knowledge. The school should ensure that they embed the curriculum and provide staff training so that it can be implemented effectively.
- On occasions, teaching and activity choices do not focus sufficiently on the essential knowledge that pupils need to learn. When this is the case, pupils do not learn as well as they should. The school must ensure that activities are selected carefully to support the pupils in learning the curriculum.
Pupil numbers and mix
16 pupils on roll, with places for 45
Schools near Sycamore Hall Preparatory School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodfield Primary School | 0.3 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 63% met the expected standard |
| The Mallard Academy | 0.5 miles | Ofsted judgements: Inadequate to requires improvement | Not published |
| Waverley Academy | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 64% met the expected standard |
| Hexthorpe Primary School | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | 21% met the expected standard |
| Balby Central Primary Academy | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 57% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Other independent school
- Sector
- Independent
- Age range
- 2 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Miss J Spencer
- Phone
- 01302856800
- Address
- 1 Hall Flat Lane, Balby, Doncaster, DN4 8PT
- Local authority
- Doncaster
- URN
- 106816
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.