Ridgewood School
Doncaster, DN5 7UB · Doncaster · secondary school
Check the area around this school
12th 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 the 896 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.6/10 among them, against 5.1/10 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 | 51.3 · 66 | 30% | 1.97 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.26 · 30 | 25% | 0.76 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 47.8 · 59 | 10% | 0.59 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Ridgewood School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 54.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 49.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.26 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.0 out of 10 among them, against 5.6 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted rated the school Good in February 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Sports, Arts, Eco, Charity, and Inclusion Committees, or the Student Executive Council. Instrumental lessons and vocal training are also available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,425 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,512. 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
How does the school support pupils to improve their Progress 8 scores? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their Attainment 8? How are the various student committees structured to ensure meaningful pupil voice?
What Ofsted said about Ridgewood School
Overview
Ridgewood School provides a “good quality of education” where pupils “behave well and have positive attitudes towards school.” Leaders have successfully improved the curriculum, particularly in mathematics and science, ensuring pupils are “well prepared for life after school.” While the sixth form is “popular” and “well led,” the report highlights specific areas requiring further development to ensure consistent support for all learners.
Strengths
- The curriculum is “ambitious” and accessible to all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and disadvantaged pupils.
- Mathematics provision is “much improved,” with teachers using “detailed lesson plans” and embedded assessment helping pupils remember more.
- The sixth form offers an “ever-diverse range of subjects” taught by “subject experts,” with students being “exceptionally positive” about their experiences.
- Leaders actively track attendance at extra-curricular clubs and regularly survey pupils to understand what is “going well and what needs to improve.”
- Appropriate support is offered when pupils raise concerns about bullying or feeling unsafe, with leaders maintaining an “effective culture of safeguarding.”
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure that “all pupils who need help to read are provided with appropriate support,” as some identified pupils are not currently receiving it.
- Leaders should “quality assure the PSHE curriculum more regularly” to address gaps in pupil recall and improve engagement, as it is currently a “least favourite lesson” for many.
- Trustees need to “review their fulfilment of essential governance duties” to better support and challenge leaders, as their current oversight is “less comprehensive than it should be.”
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” with leaders keeping detailed records and working with external agencies to keep pupils safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 45.6 |
| 2024/25 | 49.5 |
| 2025/26 | 47.8 |
| 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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