The Barnes Wallis Academy

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

Butts Lane, Tattershall, Lincoln, LN4 4PNOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

The Barnes Wallis Academy is a secondary school in Lincoln for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 393 schools in Lincolnshire. It ranks 9th of 14 secondary schools in Lincoln. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in July 2017.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 5 July 2017, report published 11 September 2017

Overall effectiveness
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 6 December 2022

This is a school where leaders and staff want the best for pupils and are determined that they will succeed. The governors and the trust have acted swiftly to provide strong interim leadership. As a result, the school continues to operate well. The school's curriculum is well planned. Leaders have identified the important knowledge in each subject. Lessons follow the curriculum plan so that all pupils can make good progress. Teachers adapt lessons, and pupils receive extra support where necessary. As a result, pupils achieve well. The school is a harmonious community. Bullying is rare, and pupils say that leaders deal with any incidents well. The school's behaviour policy helps pupils to behave well in class and around the school. However, leaders have not communicated this clearly to all parents and carers. Leaders make sure that pupils can take part in a wide range of after-school activities, including sports, music productions and charitable work. Pupils have opportunities to take part in new experiences, such as the recent trip to the Royal Opera House.

What the school should improve

  • The school has established an effective curriculum. However, there are some inconsistencies in the implementation of the curriculum in some lessons. Teachers sometimes move pupils on before they have fully understood new learning. Leaders should ensure that the planned curriculum is delivered effectively in all lessons so that pupils can remember and apply what they have been taught.
  • Leaders have established effective systems for managing pupils' behaviour and for supporting pupils with SEND. However, these systems have not been well understood by some parents and carers. Leaders should develop strategies to engage with parents and carers so that they understand the work of the school.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

104 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score39.1

39.1, 7 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths26.9%

26.9%, 18.5 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths52.9%

52.9%, 11.9 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc50%

50%, 9.5 percentage points above the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score3.67

3.67, 0.42 below the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

483 pupils on roll, with places for 560

Eligible for free school meals42.4%

42.4%, 15.9 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language1.7%

1.7%, 19.9 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support25.3%

25.3%, 10.5 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan7.2%

7.2%, 1.2 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near The Barnes Wallis Academy

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
The Banovallum School7 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 41.9
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Horncastle8 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 66.2
William Lovell Church of England Academy8 milesReport card: Urgent improvement to expected standardAttainment 8: 29.4
Heckington House School9 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 2.4
Haven High Academy10 milesOfsted: InadequateAttainment 8: 31.7

School details

School type
Academy sponsor led
Sector
Academy
Trust
THE DAVID ROSS EDUCATION TRUST
Age range
11 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
No
Headteacher
Miss Charlotte Dunsford
Address
Butts Lane, Tattershall, Lincoln, LN4 4PN
Local authority
Lincolnshire
URN
141166

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.