Hall Cross Academy
Doncaster, DN1 2HY · Doncaster · secondary school
Check the area around this school
8th of 20 secondary schools in Doncaster we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 8.2/10 against 827 of them, against 7.0/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 49.3 · 61 | 30% | 1.82 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.55 · 86 | 25% | 2.14 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 47.6 · 58 | 10% | 0.58 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Hall Cross Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 45.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 47.8, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.55 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally starting from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.7 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2023.
Getting in
The published school roll is 2,039 pupils against a stated capacity of 2,000. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
What support is available for pupils aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating while managing a roll above its designated capacity?
What Ofsted said about Hall Cross Academy
Overview
Hall Cross Academy continues to be a good school, described as inclusive with high expectations for behaviour and achievement. Pupils feel safe, trust staff, and enjoy a broad curriculum supported by effective extra-curricular opportunities and strong sixth-form provision.
Strengths
- Pupils feel safe and valued, with bullying being rare and leaders taking "swift and effective action" when it occurs.
- The curriculum is ambitious, with subject leaders carefully planning content; pupils achieve well in academic and vocational subjects.
- Reading is prioritised, ensuring all pupils can access the full curriculum, with targeted support helping struggling readers become "confident readers".
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) follow the same ambitious curriculum and achieve well due to effective support systems.
- Sixth-form students receive exceptional support, achieve very well, and benefit from high-quality careers guidance from the start of their time at the school.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should implement strategies to increase the number of pupils studying modern languages, geography, or history at key stage 4 to broaden EBacc participation.
- Leaders must ensure assessment practices are consistent across all subjects, as inconsistency in some areas leads to gaps in pupils’ understanding.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a strong culture where staff are well-trained to identify risks and share concerns timely with external agencies.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 49.9 |
| 2024/25 | 47.8 |
| 2025/26 | 47.6 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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