Simpson's Lane Academy is a primary school in Knottingley, serving pupils aged 3 to 11. The school is a academy converter and operates as a mixed school. It follows a not applicable admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school.
Simpson's Lane Academy currently has around 402 pupils on roll, which is about 70% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 52.5% boys and 47.5% girls. Around 54.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. Pupil backgrounds are varied across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 5.4%. Persistent absence is recorded at 10.9%.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (84.1%).
Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
| Address: | Sycamore Avenue, Knottingley, WF11 0PJ |
| Website: | www.simpsonslane.org.uk/ |
| Telephone: | 01977722515 |
| School Type: | Academy converter |
| Education phase: | Primary |
| Local authority: | Wakefield |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Mr Lee Colley |
| Religious character: | Does not apply |
| Admissions policy: | Not applicable |
| Unique reference: | 138535 |
Ofsted inspection date: 24/06/2025
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 3 - 11 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 577 |
| Number of Pupils: | 402 |
| Number of Boys: | 211 |
| Number of Girls: | 191 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 5.4% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 10.9% | 8.2% |
| White British | 84.10% | 338 |
| Other White | 8.70% | 35 |
| African | 3.70% | 15 |
| Other Mixed | 1.00% | 4 |
| Unclassified | 0.70% | 3 |
| White and Asian | 0.50% | 2 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.50% | 2 |
| White and Black African | 0.20% | 1 |
| Other Asian | 0.20% | 1 |
| Other Black | 0.20% | 1 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 0.00% | 0 |
| Irish | 0.00% | 0 |
| Pakistani | 0.00% | 0 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.00% | 0 |
| Chinese | 0.00% | 0 |
| Caribbean | 0.00% | 0 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.00% | 0 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 0.00% | 0 |
| Indian | 0.00% | 0 |
Progress scores show how pupils performed compared with pupils nationally who had similar prior attainment. Scores above 0 are better than average; below 0 are worse than average.
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harewood Centre Nursery School Harewood Avenue , WF8 2ER | 3out of 4 | 2,869 yd | Local authority nursery school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simpson's Lane Academy Sycamore Avenue , WF11 0PJ | - not rated | 0 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Knottingley Simpson's Lane Junior and Infant School Sycamore Avenue , WF11 0PL | - not rated | 69 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Knottingley Throstle Farm Junior and Infant School Hazel Road , WF11 0PA | - not rated | 819 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| The Vale Primary Academy Ferrybridge Road , WF11 8JF | - not rated | 929 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Knottingley Vale Junior and Infant School Ferrybridge Road , WF11 8JF | - not rated | 929 yd | Community school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knottingley High School and Sports College Middle Lane , WF11 0BZ | - not rated | 1,456 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| De Lacy Academy Middle Lane , WF11 0BZ | 4out of 4 | 1,456 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance Alternative Provision The White Building, Lock Hill , Ferrybridge WF11 8NE | - not rated | 1,548 yd | Other independent special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| High Well School Rookhill Road , WF8 2DD | 3out of 4 | 2,818 yd | Community special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Dove Adolescent Services 170 Southgate , WF8 1QJ | - not rated | 3,182 yd | Other independent special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.