The Laurel Academy
Maple Road, Mexborough, S64 9SDOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
The Laurel Academy is a secondary school in Mexborough for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 136 schools in Doncaster. It ranks 4th of 20 secondary schools in Doncaster. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in February 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 22 February 2023, report published 26 April 2023
- 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 22 February 2023
Leaders are aspirational for all pupils. In class, pupils focus on learning. They study courses which are ambitious and reflect local employment opportunities. A growing number of pupils are studying the English Baccalaureate suite of qualifications. Pupils achieve well in external examinations. Leaders' emphasis on pupils' ability to read is increasingly impactful. Leaders have established a culture of high expectations. Learning is rarely interrupted by poor behaviour. Staff use rewards often to celebrate pupils' achievements. Bullying is infrequent. When it does happen, staff act effectively to address it. Relationships between pupils and staff are polite and respectful. Pupils attend school regularly and are punctual. Pupils access a range of extra-curricular activities. These include academic and sporting clubs. Pupils benefit from high-quality vocational taster days at local providers as part of their careers education. Pupils study personal, social and health education during ethics, philosophy and citizenship (EPC) lessons, assemblies and tutor time. Leaders use this time to address important safeguarding issues. They teach pupils to keep themselves safe at school and in the community. Pupils' knowledge of other important learning from this curriculum is not as secure as leaders want. This includes their knowledge of other faiths.
What the school should improve
- Some pupils do not have the range of vocabulary needed to express themselves confidently. This limits pupils' ability to contribute effectively to discussions and to access aspects of their learning. Leaders should continue to embed their strategy on reading and oracy.
- Some aspects of the school's EPC curriculum, such as religious education, are not sufficiently well developed. This means that pupils' learning about other cultures and faiths does not contribute strongly to their personal development. Leaders should continue to review and further develop the EPC programme so that it enhances pupils' academic learning.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
132 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
755 pupils on roll
Schools near The Laurel Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swinton Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 41.1 |
| Astrea Academy Dearne | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 40.2 |
| Saint Pius X Catholic High School A Specialist School in Humanities | 2 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | Not published |
| Wath Academy | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 47.8 |
| De Warenne Academy | 3 miles | Report card: Strong standard to exceptional | Attainment 8: 48.9 |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- DELTA ACADEMIES TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Katy Taylor-Clarke
- Phone
- 01709302244
- Address
- Maple Road, Mexborough, S64 9SD
- Local authority
- Doncaster
- URN
- 146639
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.