School Chooser

Wath Academy

Secondary · ages 11-18MixedAcademy2,104 pupilsSixth formRotherham
School Chooser Score
48
In line with
similar schools
Likely range 38 to 58
Out of 100. Better than 51% of the 50 schools most like it. Slipping year on year.
OfstedGoodLast Ofsted inspection, July 2023
Strong pass in English and maths45%England 46%
Attendance92.5%England 91.4%
Pupils from low-income families26%About the same as most schools in England
Parents would recommend78%23 Parent View responses
PlacesFull2,104 pupils, 1,800 places

Wath Academy is a sponsored academy in Rotherham for boys and girls aged 11 to 18. It has 2,104 pupils, 304 more than it has places for. About 26 in every 100 pupils come from a low-income family, about the same as most schools in England. We give it 48 out of 100. That puts it in line with schools like it, ahead of 51% of the 50 schools most like it. Ofsted's last grade was good, back in 2023.

Sandygate, Wath-on-Dearne, Rotherham, S63 7NW01709 760222wathacademy.comMr Andrew Hopkin headteacherAll details

What Ofsted found

Ofsted's last full inspection was on 3 July 2023, back when it gave schools one overall grade. Read the report on Ofsted's website.

Good overall.

TeachingOfsted calls this “quality of education”
Good
BehaviourOfsted calls this “behaviour and attitudes”
Outstanding
WellbeingOfsted calls this “personal development”
Outstanding
LeadershipOfsted calls this “leadership and management”
Outstanding
Sixth formOfsted calls this “post-16”
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Effective
Yes

Results

GCSE results, summer 2025

286 pupils sat their GCSEs. Here is how they did against every state secondary in England.

Average GCSE score47.8
England 46.8
Official name: Attainment 8
Strong pass in English and maths45%
England 46%
Official name: Grade 5+ in English and maths
Standard pass in English and maths65%
England 66%
Official name: Grade 4+ in English and maths
Progress from age 11+0.10In each subject, pupils here finished a little ahead of children across England who started secondary school at the same level. (From 2023/24, the latest year there is. The government didn't work it out for the 2025 year group.)Official name: Progress 8
Trend
Average GCSE score
2018 to 2025
2018: 45.845.820182019: 44.744.720192022: 54.654.620222023: 50.250.220232024: 49.549.520242025: 47.847.82025
Since 2018: +2.0Declining overall
All GCSE measures, year by year
Measure20252024202320222019†2018†RotherhamEngland
Pupils at the end of Year 11286318298275277290
Average GCSE scoreAttainment 847.849.550.254.644.745.842.446.8
Progress from age 11Progress 8+0.10+0.39+0.46-0.13-0.08
Strong pass in English and mathsGrade 5+ in English and maths45%49%49%57%40%47%38%46%
Standard pass in English and mathsGrade 4+ in English and maths65%69%69%80%55%62%58%66%
Core subjects scoreEBacc average point score4.014.164.074.443.884.023.584.15
Taking the core subjectsEBacc entry17%20%18%11%46%56%28%41%
Average GCSE score: low-income pupilsAttainment 8, disadvantaged37.835.040.547.532.433.6
Average GCSE score: other pupilsAttainment 8, non-disadvantaged53.053.553.356.747.950.7
Average GCSE score: pupils who started behindAttainment 8, low prior attainers27.829.540.525.622.3
Average GCSE score: pupils who started aheadAttainment 8, high prior attainers64.969.274.759.060.9

† These results are for Wath Comprehensive School : A Language College, the school this one replaced in April 2019. Same building and the same children. It got a new registration number, usually because it joined an academy trust.

Subjects

Results came out for 19 GCSE subjects in 2025. Each figure is the share of pupils who got a grade 5 or better, next to the average for state secondaries in England.

Strongest subjects

Physical Education77%grades 9 to 5, England 56% · 310th of 1,559 schools
Drama80%grades 9 to 5, England 60%
Spanish69%grades 9 to 5, England 54% · 486th of 1,941 schools
What is taught hereOffers triple science, computer science, music.
LanguagesSpanish78

The small number is how many pupils sat each subject. Subjects with fewer than six pupils aren't published.

Every subject against England, 2025
Mathematics284 entries · 6th of 15 in Rotherham
49%England 53%
English Language284 entries · 4th of 15 in Rotherham
57%England 54%
English Literature281 entries · 1st of 15 in Rotherham
58%England 58%
Combined Science220 entries · 4th of 15 in Rotherham
35%England 36%
Art and Design165 entries · 5th of 15 in Rotherham
60%England 58%
Geography143 entries · 8th of 15 in Rotherham
42%England 51%
History117 entries · 4th of 15 in Rotherham
56%England 52%
Physical Education92 entries · 1st of 3 in Rotherham
77%England 56%
Spanish78 entries · 2nd of 12 in Rotherham
69%England 54%
Social Studies63 entries · 3rd of 5 in Rotherham
54%England 54%
Biology62 entries · 2nd of 14 in Rotherham
90%England 82%
Chemistry61 entries · 3rd of 14 in Rotherham
85%England 81%
Physics61 entries · 3rd of 14 in Rotherham
92%England 82%
Business49 entries · 5th of 10 in Rotherham
45%England 51%
Computer Science23 entries · 3rd of 6 in Rotherham
52%England 56%
58%England 52%
Drama15 entries
80%England 60%
SubjectEntriesGrades 9 to 7Grades 9 to 5Grades 9 to 4England 9 to 5Rank in England
Mathematics28420%49%72%53%1,770 of 3,211
English Language28419%57%70%54%1,195 of 3,210
English Literature28122%58%70%58%1,374 of 3,202
Combined Science2201%35%52%36%1,524 of 3,084
Art and Design16526%60%77%58%1,335 of 2,818
Geography14323%42%55%51%1,971 of 3,116
History11736%56%70%52%1,145 of 3,126
Physical Education9236%77%88%56%310 of 1,559
Spanish7830%69%85%54%486 of 1,941
Social Studies6325%54%70%54%510 of 1,043
Biology6250%90%98%82%1,096 of 2,570
Chemistry6143%85%97%81%1,352 of 2,537
Physics6154%92%100%82%989 of 2,546
Business4922%45%61%51%1,007 of 1,806
Computer Science2317%52%65%56%985 of 1,861
Food Preparation & Nutrition1926%58%68%52%
Drama1527%80%87%60%
Religious Studies933%67%89%60%
Music757%100%100%61%

In combined science each pupil gets two grades and we count the lower one. Rankings only include state secondaries where 20 or more pupils sat the subject.

A level and sixth-form results, 2025

204 students finished sixth-form courses.

Average A level gradeB-35.9 points per entry
A level progress-0.19Against students elsewhere with the same GCSE grades. 0 is average.
AAB or better18%with two subjects universities favour
Stayed and finished92%of students who started
All sixth-form measures, year by year
Measure2025202420232022
Students204203200188
Average A level points per entryA level APS per entry35.9134.9433.8839.81
Average A level gradeB-C+C+B
Best three A levelsBest 3 A levels APS34.9034.6231.7640.07
AAB or better in subjects universities likeAAB+ in two facilitating subjects18%17%7%19%
A level progressA level value added-0.19-0.21
Applied general courses: points per entry32.6033.1036.1437.19
T levels: points per entry37.00
Stayed and finishedRetained and assessed92%84%91%93%

A level subjects

21 A level subjects had results in 2025. Each figure is the share of students who got an A* to B, next to the average for state sixth forms in England. When only a handful of students take a subject, its figures jump around from year to year.

Strongest A levels

Photography90%A* to B, England 58% · 10 entries
English Language75%A* to B, England 44% · 16 entries
Sociology69%A* to B, England 49% · 13 entries
Law60%A* to B, England 40% · 15 entries
A levels taught hereThe small number is how many students sat each one in 2025.
SubjectsMathematics42Psychology39Chemistry26Physics25History23Biology21English Language16Business Studies15Law15Economics14Geography14Sociology13Photography10Media / Film / TV Studies7Physical Education / Sports Studies7Computer Science7Art and Design7Drama and Theatre Studies6Fine Art5English Literature5Government and Politics5
Every A level subject against England, 2025
Mathematics42 entries · 43% A* or A · 100% passed
62%England 60%
Psychology39 entries · 28% A* or A · 100% passed
54%England 46%
Chemistry26 entries · 12% A* or A · 100% passed
50%England 53%
Physics25 entries · 24% A* or A · 100% passed
40%England 51%
History23 entries · 30% A* or A · 100% passed
65%England 55%
Biology21 entries · 38% A* or A · 100% passed
62%England 49%
English Language16 entries · 13% A* or A · 100% passed
75%England 44%
Business Studies15 entries · 33% A* or A · 100% passed
40%England 47%
Law15 entries · 20% A* or A · 100% passed
60%England 40%
Economics14 entries · 29% A* or A · 100% passed
64%England 57%
Geography14 entries · 36% A* or A · 100% passed
43%England 51%
Sociology13 entries · 15% A* or A · 100% passed
69%England 49%
Photography10 entries · 20% A* or A · 100% passed
90%England 58%
Media / Film / TV Studies7 entries · 29% A* or A · 100% passed
100%England 46%
Physical Education / Sports Studies7 entries · 14% A* or A · 100% passed
14%England 41%
Computer Science7 entries · 0% A* or A · 100% passed
57%England 46%
Art and Design7 entries · 0% A* or A · 86% passed
0%England 60%
Drama and Theatre Studies6 entries · 33% A* or A · 100% passed
83%England 54%
Fine Art5 entries · 0% A* or A · 0% passed
0%England 65%
English Literature5 entries · 0% A* or A · 0% passed
0%England 52%
Government and Politics5 entries · 0% A* or A · 0% passed
0%England 55%

A levels only. BTECs, T levels and other courses are in the table above. Subjects with fewer than five students aren't published.

Does every child do well here?

A good school does well by every child, not just on average. Each row compares two groups of pupils here. The grey marks show the same two groups across England. 1 of the 3 gaps is smaller than the gap across England. When a group has fewer than about ten pupils, its figures jump around a lot from year to year.

At GCSE, 2025

Average GCSE scoreLow-income pupils vs other pupils
37.853.0
Gap 15.2England 12.2
Strong pass in English and mathsLow-income pupils vs other pupils
29%53%
Gap 25 ptsEngland 22 pts
Average GCSE scoreBoys vs girls
46.349.2
Gap 2.9England 3.0
First groupSecond groupEngland, each group

Low-income means the child has had free school meals at some point in the last six years. A group's figure isn't published when it has fewer than six pupils.

Getting a place

Open to all. There is no entrance test.

Nearly full2,021 pupils for 2,086 places, 2024/25
97% full

Fewer than one place in twenty is empty, so in most years more families apply than there are places. Living close by, or already having a child here, makes a real difference. Pupil numbers have grown by 6% since 2021/22, so places are getting harder to come by.

How places were given out for September 2026. More children applied than there were places. The last place went to a child chosen by how close to the school they lived, but the council didn't publish how far away that was.

EntryApplied at allHow far the last child livedSource
2026 Secondary497LA
2024 Secondary513LA

What parents say

Would recommend the school78%England 77%
My child is happy here74%agree or strongly agree
My child feels safe74%
Positive overall
My child is happy at this school
74%England 75%
My child feels safe at this school
74%England 79%
Pupils are well behavedThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved
78%England 71%
Has your child been bullied here?Parents answering yes
26% yesEngland 26%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOnly parents whose child was bullied
67%England 48%
My child gets the right support to learn well
74%England 71%
Does your child have SEND?Parents answering yes
57% yesEngland 31%
The school gives them the support they needOnly parents of children with SEND
54%England 58%
The school communicates well with me
74%England 71%
My concerns have been dealt with properlyWhen I have raised concerns
61%England 58%
Decisions put the child's best interests first
74%England 67%
I would recommend this school
78%England 77%
Strongly agreeAgreeDon't knowDisagreeStrongly disagreeEngland, agree or yes

From Ofsted's Parent View survey: 23 parents answered in the year to 6 April 2026. Parents choose whether to fill it in, and many only do so when an inspection is coming, so don't read too much into small differences. The England figures are the average for secondary schools with enough answers to publish.

Who goes here

Who a school teaches matters. That is why our score compares it with schools that take in a similar mix of children, not with every school in the country.

Pupils on roll2,104Census January 2026
Places1,800117% full
Pupils from low-income families23%26% have had free school meals at some point in the last six years
Pupils learning English4%First language is not English
Pupils getting extra support12%257 pupils with SEN support
Pupils with an EHC plan4%88 pupils with a plan
Average class size21.889 classes, January 2026; England 22.8
Classes with more than 30 pupils26%share of one-teacher classes; England 12%
Pupils with extra funding (pupil premium)27%£492,800 extra funding in 2026/27; England 30%
Boys and girls1,049 / 1,055
White British pupils89%

The most common needs among pupils getting extra support: Specific learning difficulty (96), Autistic spectrum disorder (80), emotional and mental health (80), Moderate learning difficulty (29), language and communications needs (29), Other difficulty or disability (14).

How the mix of pupils has changed
Census202620252024202320222021
Pupils on roll2,1042,0311,9931,9831,9191,864
Pupils from low-income familiesFree school meals23%23%22%21%19%16%
Pupils learning EnglishEnglish as an additional language4%5%4%4%3%2%
Pupils getting extra supportSEN support11%10%8%9%9%
Pupils with an EHC planEducation, health and care plans4%3%2%2%2%

Attendance and behaviour

In 2024/25 pupils were in school 92.5% of the time. Across similar schools in England it was 91.4%.

Attendance92.5%
England 91.4%
Official name: 100 minus overall absence
Pupils missing a lot of school21.5%
England 23.9%
Official name: Persistent absence
Suspensions per 100 pupils8.22024/25, 5 permanent exclusions
Missed without permission4.2%of school time, 2024/25
Attendance year by year
Measure2024/252023/242022/232021/222020/212018/19England
Sessions missedOverall absence7.5%9.5%9.0%7.7%4.8%6.5%8.6%
Missed with permissionAuthorised absence3.2%4.2%5.1%3.1%2.2%2.8%
Missed without permissionUnauthorised absence4.2%5.4%3.9%4.7%2.6%3.8%
Pupils missing a lot of schoolPersistent absence21.5%27.0%28.4%23.6%12.2%20.2%23.9%
SuspensionsSuspension rate8.29.75.46.74.9
Permanent exclusionsPermanent exclusions58315

What pupils do next

After GCSEs

Where the 298 pupils who left in 2022/23 were a year later.

Still in education, work or training88%and stayed there for at least six months

Among pupils from low-income families it was 73%, compared with 92% for everyone else.

Earlier years
Destination2022/23 leavers2021/22 leavers2020/21 leavers2019/20 leavers
Still in education, work or training88%92%95%95%
Education81%83%86%85%
Apprenticeship3%5%5%4%
Work4%5%4%6%
Not in education, work or training9%6%5%5%

After sixth form

Where the 188 pupils who left in 2022/23 were a year later.

Still in education, work or training90%and stayed there for at least six months

Among pupils from low-income families it was 77%, compared with 92% for everyone else.

Where the ones heading for university went

Went on to degree-level study or training68%England 72%
Top-third universities19%England 22%. The universities that ask for the highest grades
Higher or degree apprenticeship10%England 6%
Higher technical course1%Level 4 or 5, such as an HNC or HND
Earlier years
Destination2022/23 leavers2021/22 leavers2020/21 leavers
Still in education, work or training90%88%91%
Education52%55%67%
Apprenticeship10%9%8%
Work28%24%16%
Not in education, work or training6%7%6%

Staff and money

From the government's count of school staff in November 2025 and the school's published accounts.

Teachers105.6full-time equivalent, 112 people
Pupils per teacher19.9Pupils for every full-time teacher
Fully qualified teachers100%hold qualified teacher status
Teaching assistants41.3full-time equivalent
Average teacher pay£55,535
Teachers who left in the year4%2024/25, for any reason including retirement
Vacancies1
Sick days per teacher3.92024/25

Money

From the academy accounts return, year to August 2025. The per-pupil figures are compared with other secondary schools in England that report their accounts the same way.

Spend per pupil£6,771England £7,965. Total £14m
Income per pupil£7,803England £8,423. Total £16m
Spent on teachers per pupil£3,845England £4,444
Money in reserve13%A healthy amount put by: £2.0m, £985 per pupil. England 10%
Money in against money out+£2.1mit took in more than it spent this year
Where the money goes£6,771spent per pupil

Reserves are the money left over at the end of the year, kept back for emergencies and big projects. Being in the red year after year is a warning sign. Very large reserves can mean money sitting in the bank instead of being spent on today's pupils. Academy figures are rounded to the nearest £1,000 and include a share of any money the trust holds centrally.

The area around the school

Crimes within 500 m22712 months to June 2026, mostly violence and sexual offences
Local crime rate114 per 1,000 people25% higher than the England average
Typical house price£190,000Rotherham
Nearest bus stop90 mWath Comprehensive School/Festival Road, 15 stops within 500 m

Crime figures come from police.uk. The police record each crime at the nearest of a fixed set of map points rather than the exact spot, so “within 500 m” is only rough. House prices are from HM Land Registry sales nearby over the last two years.

Nearby schools

The closest secondary schools, nearest first. Hover over a row to see it on the map.

Well aboveAboveIn lineBelowWell belowNot scored
SchoolTypeDistancePupilsOfstedScore
Saint Pius X Catholic High School A Specialist School in HumanitiesAcademy580 m687Requires improvement 2024Compare
Swinton AcademyAcademy1.2 miles870Good 202338Compare
The Laurel AcademyAcademy2.0 miles755Good 202375Compare
Rawmarsh Community SchoolAcademy2.1 miles1,067Report card 202614Compare
Astrea Academy DearneAcademy2.7 miles1,071Good 202315Compare
Netherwood AcademyAcademy3.3 miles1,229Good 202433Compare
Thrybergh AcademyAcademy3.6 miles525Requires improvement 20232Compare
Wingfield AcademyAcademy3.7 miles990Report card 202672Compare

Compared with schools like it

Our score compares Wath Academy with the 49 schools in England whose pupils are most like its own. We match on family income, how many children are learning English, special needs, the neighbourhood, the size of the school and how it admits pupils. Those 49 schools are dotted all over the country, so we don't list them. What matters is where this school sits among them.

Beats51%of schools with a similar mix of pupils
In the upper half of its group. Its score of 48 is about the same as the typical school in the group.
0Lowest of the group 0 · middle 47 · highest 94100

Nearby schools with a similar mix of pupils that score higher

Of those 49 schools, these are within 25 km and score at least five points more than Wath Academy, nearest first. A school with the same kind of pupils and a higher score is the fairest sign that it gets more out of them.

SchoolTypeDistancePupilsOfstedScore
Ossett Academy and Sixth Form CollegeAcademy15.4 miles1,699Report card 202654Compare

How the score was worked out

The score is out of 100. A 48 means that once everything below is added up, this school comes out ahead of 48% of secondary schools in England. Results bounce around from year to year, especially in small schools, so we also show a likely range: 38 to 58. Every part is judged against schools with a similar mix of pupils. For small schools we pull each part towards the group average, so one unusual year can't swing the score too far.

What we looked atHow much it countsAgainst schools like itEffect on the scoreBased on
Results over three years20%in line
+0.01
2025, 2024 and 2023 results; 286 pupils
Ofsted inspection20% (normally 20%, cut because the inspection is old)in line
+0.02
Ofsted grade, 3.2 years old
Progress pupils make20%in line
+0.03
DfE progress measure; 286 pupils
Direction of travel over five years10%below
-0.08
results and attendance falling year on year
Attendance and behaviour10%above
+0.04
2024/25; 1,681 pupils
Results, allowing for the mix of pupils10%below
-0.04
Attainment relative to schools with a similar intake; 286 pupils
What pupils do next5%below
-0.03
298 pupils
What parents say5%in line
+0.01
Ofsted's Parent View survey, allowing for how many parents replied; 23 responses

Worked out on 13 September 2026 (method v1). Read how the score works, including every weight and the checks we run. Think a number is wrong? Tell us.

Questions parents ask

Is Wath Academy a good school?

It is about average. Wath Academy scores 48 out of 100. That is in line with schools that take in a similar mix of pupils, and ahead of 51% of the 50 schools most like it in England. The score could fairly be anywhere from 38 to 58, so a few points either way between schools doesn't mean much. Its results have been slipping over the last five years.

What is Wath Academy's Ofsted rating?

Ofsted rated Wath Academy good at its last full inspection on 3 July 2023.

How good are Wath Academy's GCSE results?

In summer 2025, 45% of pupils got a grade 5 or better in both English and maths. Across England it was 46%. Its Attainment 8 score, which is the average grade across a pupil's best eight subjects times ten, was 47.8, against 46.8 for England. In each subject, pupils here finished a little ahead of children across England who started secondary school at the same level.

How many pupils does Wath Academy have?

2,104 pupils aged 11 to 18 were on the roll in January 2026. It has 1,800 places, so it is 117% full.

Is Wath Academy oversubscribed?

Often. Fewer than one place in twenty was empty in 2024/25, so popular year groups fill up.

What is attendance like at Wath Academy?

Pupils were in school 92.5% of the time in 2024/25. Similar schools in England managed 91.4%. 22% of pupils missed at least a tenth of the year.

What do parents say about Wath Academy?

78% of the 23 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey would recommend it to other parents, and 74% say their child is happy there. Across England, 77% of parents would recommend their child's school.

How big are the classes at Wath Academy?

The average class had 21.8 pupils in January 2026. Across England it was 22.8. 26% of classes had more than 30 pupils.

Does Wath Academy have a sixth form?

Yes. The average A level grade in 2025 was B-. 21 A level subjects had results in 2025; the full list is in the results section.

These answers come straight from the figures on this page and update when new data comes out.

Contact and details

Address
Sandygate, Wath-on-Dearne, Rotherham, S63 7NW
Telephone
01709 760222
Website
www.wathacademy.com
Headteacher
Mr Andrew Hopkin
Type of school
Sponsored academy (Academy sponsor led, academies)
Phase
Secondary school, ages 11-18, with sixth form
Gender
Mixed
Multi-academy trust
Place Partnership - a Multi-Academy Trust (12 schools)
Local authority
Rotherham
Ward
Wath
Constituency
Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Setting
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city
Opened
1 April 2019 (new provision)
URN
145848 · LAESTAB 3724007 · UKPRN 10067731
Formerly
Wath Comprehensive School : A Language College

Recent changes

  • New KS4 results for 2024/25

Where these figures come from