The Laurel Academy

The Laurel Academy opened in November 2018 (Predecessor Mexborough Academy) and serves the ex-mining communities of Mexborough, Denaby and Conisbrough with the majority of pupils living within walking distance and coming from 5 primary schools. The Key Stage 2 APS for every year group is significantly below national average on entry but primary performance is improving.

The academy is average sized, and has space for up to 250 pupils per year group. The majority of pupils live in areas containing significant pockets of deprivation characterised by high unemployment, an inadequate employment base, low average income levels, poor physical and mental health and a degraded urban environment.

The proportion of disadvantaged pupils is significantly above the national average (53% v 29%) as is the number currently in receipt of Free School Meals (33% v 12%).