The St Lawrence Academy Review 2026: A Supportive Community with a Changing Horizon

The St Lawrence Academy serves the Bottesford and Scunthorpe communities as a co-educational secondary school for students aged 11 to 16. As a Church of England academy, it operates under the umbrella of the St Lawrence Academies Trust, maintaining a strong focus on its Christian ethos. The school currently occupies a modern site on Doncaster Road, designed to accommodate over 800 students. While academic performance has faced challenges in recent years, the academy is notable for its inclusive atmosphere and its commitment to supporting a diverse student body. It currently holds an Ofsted rating of Requires Improvement, with leadership actively working on a transformation plan to elevate standards across the curriculum.

The atmosphere at The St Lawrence Academy is defined by a sense of community and mutual respect. Students often describe the school as a welcoming environment where the staff are approachable and dedicated to their welfare. The school's Christian character is woven into the daily routine, not through rigid formality, but through a shared language of kindness and aspiration.

The Headteacher, Dan Ellerby, has led the academy through a period of significant transition. Since taking the helm, he has prioritised the refinement of the school's culture, focusing on improving behaviour and attendance. The physical environment supports this mission; the building is spacious and light, featuring dedicated zones for different subject areas and social spaces that encourage positive interaction. The academy feels like a place where every student is seen as an individual, a sentiment frequently echoed in official monitoring reports.

In the most recent published data for 2024, The St Lawrence Academy recorded an average Attainment 8 score of 36.6. This figure sits below the England average, reflecting the academic hurdles the school is currently navigating. The Progress 8 score of -0.42 suggests that, on average, students make slightly less progress between the end of primary school and their GCSEs compared to students with similar starting points across England.

Ranked 3,503rd in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), and 8th among 12 secondary schools in Scunthorpe, the academy currently sits in the national lower band. While these rankings indicate a need for improvement, they also highlight the school's position within a competitive local landscape. Performance in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) is also developing, with 2.1% of students achieving a grade 5 or above across the core subject areas, compared to an England average of 24.3%.

The curriculum at the academy is designed to be broad and balanced, ensuring students have access to both traditional academic subjects and vocational pathways. In recent years, there has been a significant push to strengthen the delivery of the core subjects: English, Mathematics, and Science. Teachers are increasingly using data to track student progress and provide more targeted interventions for those who are falling behind.

The academy has invested in digital learning tools, with students and staff utilising the Realsmart platform for homework and resource sharing. This technological integration helps to bridge the gap between classroom learning and independent study. However, external assessments have noted that the consistency of teaching quality across all departments remains a focus for the leadership team. While many lessons are engaging and well paced, the school is working to ensure that high expectations are uniform across the entire staff body.

Where Students Go Next

As a 11 to 16 school, the transition at the end of Year 11 is a critical milestone. The majority of students progress to local further education providers, most notably North Lincolnshire College or John Leggott College in Scunthorpe. A significant number of students also pursue apprenticeships in the region, particularly in technical and engineering fields, reflecting the industrial heritage of the Scunthorpe area.

The academy provides a dedicated careers service that begins working with students as early as Year 7. This includes career fairs, mock interviews, and regular visits from local employers. This early intervention is designed to ensure that every student has a clear and viable plan for their post 16 education or training, regardless of their academic starting point.

Fees & Financial Aid

This is a state-funded academy with no tuition fees. All core education costs are covered by the Department for Education. Families may need to budget for optional costs such as:

• School Uniform: Available through designated local suppliers.
• School Meals: A main meal deal is currently £2.65 per day. Families may qualify for Free School Meals based on eligibility criteria.
• Optional Trips: Enrichment opportunities, such as the ski trip to Italy (estimated at £1600 for 2027), are available on a self-funded basis with payment instalment plans provided.

Admissions to The St Lawrence Academy are coordinated by the North Lincolnshire Local Authority. The school has a capacity of 825 students and has seen a surge in demand recently. In the 2024 intake period, the academy was oversubscribed, receiving 239 applications for 168 available places. This represents a subscription proportion of 1.42, indicating that the school is a popular choice among local families despite its current performance ratings.

After students with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) naming the school are admitted, priority is given to looked after children, siblings, and those living closest to the school. As a Church of England school, a portion of places can also be allocated based on faith criteria if the school is oversubscribed with applicants who do not meet the other priority categories.

Pastoral care is widely regarded as one of the school's primary strengths. The academy uses a horizontal tutoring system where students are grouped with their peers from the same year group, allowing for age specific support and guidance. Each year group is overseen by a Head of Year and a non teaching Pastoral Support Officer, ensuring that there is always a dedicated adult available to address social or emotional concerns.

The school's "The Bridge" facility provides a sanctuary for students who may be struggling with the traditional classroom environment. It offers a space for emotional regulation, small group work, and one to one mentoring. Safeguarding procedures are rigorous, and the latest monitoring visits confirm that students feel safe and well supported within the school gates.

The extracurricular life at the academy is vibrant and inclusive. Students can participate in a variety of clubs, ranging from the popular Robotics Club to the school's various sports teams. The PE department is particularly active, with regular fixtures in football, netball, and athletics.

The academy also places a high value on the performing arts. The annual school production is a highlight of the calendar, involving students in everything from acting and singing to stage management and lighting. For those interested in leadership, the Student Council provides a platform to influence school policy and organise community fundraising events, further embedding the school's ethos of service and responsibility.

The school day at The St Lawrence Academy begins at 8:40am and concludes at 3:00pm. For families requiring earlier drop offs, a breakfast club operates from 8:00am, providing a social start to the day. The academy is well served by local transport, with several bus routes stopping directly outside the Doncaster Road entrance, and it is easily accessible by foot for students living in the Bottesford and central Scunthorpe areas.

• Requires Improvement Status: The school is currently under a "Requires Improvement" rating from Ofsted. While leadership is proactive, families should be aware that the school is in a phase of significant change as it works to raise academic standards.
• Oversubscribed entry: With a subscription ratio of 1.42 in 2024, securing a place is not guaranteed for those outside the immediate vicinity or without sibling links. Parents should check their distance from the school gates carefully.
• No on site Sixth Form: As the school only caters to ages 11 to 16, students must prepare for a transition to a new college or provider at the end of Year 11.
• Academic trajectory: Current GCSE results are below the England average. The school is best suited for families who value a strong pastoral and inclusive environment and are willing to support the school through its current improvement journey.

The St Lawrence Academy is a school that leads with its heart, offering a nurturing and inclusive environment that prioritises student wellbeing. While its academic results are currently in a rebuilding phase, the strong pastoral care and community ethos make it a compelling choice for families who want their children to be part of a supportive, faith based community. It best suits students who thrive in a smaller, familiar setting where they are known as individuals. For families in the Scunthorpe area, it remains a popular and improving option, though the challenge lies in securing a place given the recent high demand.