Ofsted: Strong standard trending_up Places Available emoji_events #9 in Doncaster public Top 28% UK

Sir Thomas Wharton Academy

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

person Mr Matthew McDonald

corporate_farePLACE PARTNERSHIP - A MULTI-ACADEMY TRUST

location_onDoncaster, DN12 1HH

language Visit Website phone 01709864100

verified

Ofsted

Strong standard

Inspected 2026

groups

Students

1,045

trending_up

Attainment 8

49.2

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GCSE Rank

#5 in Doncaster

#1,261 of 4,024 nationally

summarize

Sir Thomas Wharton Academy is a Academy converter secondary school in Doncaster, serving ages 11-18. Assessed at Strong standard by Ofsted on its latest Report Card inspection.

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School Summary

Sir Thomas Wharton Academy is an academy converter in Doncaster, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of PLACE PARTNERSHIP - A MULTI-ACADEMY TRUST. The school has approximately 1,226 pupils on roll, of whom 31% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2026, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 49.2, placing the school #5 in Doncaster and #1,261 of 4,024 nationally. 61.10% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 16.5% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 19 A-level subjects. 40.2% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 17.3% at A*–A. In the 2022/23 leavers cohort, 8.1% progressed to Top-Third Higher Education institutions (ranked #1,425 nationally), out of 44.7% progressing to higher education overall. A-level value added: -0.76 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2026. The school's current overall rating is Strong standard. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Strong standard, behaviour and attitudes Strong standard, personal development Exceptional, and leadership and management Strong standard.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 1.0× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 18.5:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 10.7 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2026

Attainment 8 Score

49.2

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

61.10%

Grade 4+ E&M

78.30%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)16.5%

5+ GCSEs (4+ incl. E&M)70.60%

Triple Science Entry12.80%

EBacc Slot Score13.5 / 30

2025

Attainment 8 Score

43.3

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

33.10%

Grade 4+ E&M

55.20%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)11.5%

Entering EBacc3.10%

EBacc APS3.42

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.07

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.9

Grade 5+ E&M

48.90%

Entering EBacc7.40%

EBacc APS3.88

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.07

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc15%

EBacc APS4.06

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.42

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc18%

EBacc APS3.71

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.53

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc15%

EBacc APS3.58

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.71

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

39.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc46%

EBacc APS3.34

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2026

Stayed in Education / Employment

89.9%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86.2%

Apprenticeships2.1%

Employment1.6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5.9%

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

89%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)81%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)75%

Apprenticeships6%

Employment12%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

90%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)71%

Apprenticeships9%

Employment10%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)8%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment7%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)85%

Apprenticeships5%

Employment3%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.76

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*3.9%

Achieving A*–A17.3%

Achieving A*–B40.2%

VA Banding Well below average

Retention rate91.1%

A-level subjects offered19

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.36

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate94.10%

Post-18 Destinations 83% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 44.7%

handshake Apprenticeships 12.8%

work Employment 23.4%

Not sustained / NEET14.9%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate91.70%

Post-18 Destinations (2022/23 leavers)86.5% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 43.2%

stars Top-Third Universities 8.1%

handshake Apprenticeships 8.1%

work Employment 32.4%

Not sustained / NEET5.4%

2022

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Retention rate95.2%

Post-18 Destinations 93% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 62.8%

handshake Apprenticeships 7%

work Employment 18.6%

Not sustained / NEET2.3%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results & 16-19 Destination Measures

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Ranking History & Trajectory

National & Local Authority position based on DfE performance data · Methodology

Year	Secondary Overall (Nat)	LA Rank	GCSE Attainment	Progress 8 Rank	A-Level VA	Top-Third Uni	Overall Uni (HE)
2026	#1,658 / 4,024	#9	#1,261	#1	—	#1,425	#1,941
2025	#2,569 / 3,948	#15	#2,305	#1	#2,432	#1,425	#1,941
2024	#1,713 / 4,450	#11	#1,625	#1,724	#2,089	#1,425	#1,941
2023	#1,456 / 4,321	#7	#1,178	#1,316	—	—	#1,920
2022	#2,429 / 4,199	#11	#2,224	#2,435	—	—	#933
2019	#2,155 / 2,711	#15	#1,685	#2,456	—	—	—
2018	#2,349 / 2,537	#15	#2,208	#2,431	—	—	—

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

17 March 2026

Inspection Report

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21 September 2021

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2026-03-17

S5 Inspection REIF Report Card

Report Card

info

Why no single overall grade?

From autumn 2024 / 2025, Ofsted replaced single-word headline grades (Outstanding / Good / RI / Inadequate) with individual area judgements on a Report Card.

Curriculum & Teaching

Strong standard

Achievement

Expected standard

Attendance & Behaviour

Strong standard

Personal Development

Exceptional

Inclusion

Strong standard

Leadership & Governance

Strong standard

Post-16 Provision

Expected standard

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

2021-09-21

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

2015-01-20

S5 Inspection EIF

Inadequate

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

2011-10-05

None EIF

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

9.2%per term

warning Above Average

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

5.3%(62 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,166 pupils. During this period, there were 107 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 9.2%, which is above the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,166	107	9.2%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,179	143	12.1%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,098	111	10.1%	7.4%	1
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,101	64	5.8%	7.1%	1
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,126	199	17.7%	8.2%	2
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,043	113	10.8%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,045	74	7.1%	6.4%	3
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,067	55	5.2%	5.9%	1
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,041	61	5.9%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,040	63	6.1%	4.9%	1
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,047	79	7.5%	4.4%	2
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,020	76	7.5%	3.6%	1
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,026	21	2.0%	1.0%	1
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,030	90	8.7%	3.9%	1
2019/20 (Summer term)	966	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	966	116	12.0%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	959	285	29.7%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	920	155	16.8%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	916	193	21.1%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	918	130	14.2%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	867	109	12.6%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	865	50	5.8%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	868	53	6.1%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	885	28	3.2%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	0	1	-	3.3%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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psychology_alt

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Specific Learning Difficulty 41 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 39 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 38 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 31 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 29 pupils

Visual Impairment 6 pupils

Hearing Impairment 4 pupils

Physical Disability 2 pupils

health_and_safety

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

Overall, how do parents view this school?

69%Positive

My child is happy at this school.

88%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

90%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

When bullying took place, the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.

strongly agree30%

agree20%

disagree13%

strongly disagree27%

not applicable83%

Neither agree nor disagree10%

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree49%

agree39%

disagree2%

strongly disagree3%

Neither agree nor disagree8%

When the school makes decisions it has the child's best interests at heart.

strongly agree46%

agree33%

Neither agree nor disagree12%

disagree6%

strongly disagree4%

Don't know1%

The school gives my child the right support to enable them to learn well.

strongly agree52%

agree34%

Neither agree nor disagree6%

disagree6%

strongly disagree3%

The school communicates well with me about the things I need to know.

strongly agree38%

agree48%

disagree7%

strongly disagree3%

Neither agree nor disagree5%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly.

strongly agree30%

agree20%

disagree6%

strongly disagree6%

not applicable30%

Neither agree nor disagree8%

Does your child have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)?

yes27%

no73%

My child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree53%

agree22%

disagree4%

strongly disagree6%

Neither agree nor disagree14%

Would you recommend this school to another parent?

yes89%

no11%

Top Secondary Schools in Doncaster

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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Outstanding

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Good

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Good

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Doncaster UTC

Good

location_on Doncaster, DN1 3BF

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Ridgewood School

Good

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Ash Hill Academy

Good

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ranking History & Trajectory

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

Overall, how do parents view this school?

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

When bullying took place, the school dealt with it quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

When the school makes decisions it has the child's best interests at heart.

The school gives my child the right support to enable them to learn well.

The school communicates well with me about the things I need to know.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly.

Does your child have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)?

My child has SEND, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

Would you recommend this school to another parent?

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Doncaster

Hungerhill School

The Hayfield School

Hall Cross Academy

Doncaster UTC

Ridgewood School

Ash Hill Academy