Armthorpe Academy

Our KS3 students recently enjoyed an exciting residential visit to Low Mill Outdoor Education Centre, where they took part in a range of adventurous activities designed to challenge and inspire them.

 It was brilliant to see all our schools across Consilium Academies celebrating the joy of reading last week as part of World Book Day.

Students and staff took part in a wide range of activities designed to promote reading for pleasure, including competitions, quizzes, book sharing events and dedicated time to enjoy reading together. 

The week of celebrations highlighted the importance of reading in education and encouraged pupils to discover new books and develop a lifelong love of reading.

Students from Armthorpe Academy in Doncaster, part of Consilium Academies, have returned from an unforgettable Ski Trip 2026 to Pila in the stunning Aosta Valley.

Consilium Academies, has been recognised as one of the most improved education trusts in England following the release of the Autumn Term 2024/25 suspension statistics. Compared to last year, the Trust has made significant improvements in behaviour across its schools.

Out of 2,130 Trusts with comparable data, Consilium ranks 48th nationally for the largest reduction in suspension rates, placing it in the top 2% of most improved Trusts. The Trust achieved a 5.14% reduction, compared with a national mean of just 0.02%.

Consilium has also improved in overall national rankings, moving from the 31st highest for suspension rate in Autumn 2023/24 to 53rd in Autumn 2024/25. Among secondary academies, the Trust rose from 46th highest to 110th out of 1,099 Trusts.

The Trust has been working closely with staff, students, and the local community to improve behaviour standards. Through these efforts, students understand the importance of positive behaviour, creating a safe and supportive learning environment for all.

Zoe Levitt, Executive Director of Education at Consilium Academies, said: “These results reflect the hard work of our staff and the positive engagement of our students and the communities we serve. By working together, we are building a culture where every student can thrive. There is more to do, but this improvement is something we can all be proud of."

Armthorpe Academy came together on Tuesday 11th November to honour those who have served and sacrificed for our country.

Each year, at 11am on the 11th November, the academy observes a two-minute silence as a way of remembering the brave men and women who fought and died for our freedom across a range of conflicts throughout British history.

This year, staff and students across the school took part in classroom-based Remembrance Day activities designed to help pupils reflect on the importance of remembrance and understand its significance in today’s world. The academy community paused together for the two-minute silence, showing unity and respect.

As part of the commemorations, student cadets were invited to attend school in their cadet uniforms, proudly representing their commitment to service and honouring those who came before them.

Mrs Amy Moulton, Director of Pastoral Care and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead at Armthorpe Academy, said: “Remembrance Day is a time for our whole school community to come together to reflect and show respect for those who gave their lives for our freedom. It’s always a powerful and emotional moment to see our students engaging so thoughtfully and with such maturity.”

Armthorpe Academy continues to ensure that remembrance remains a meaningful and educational experience for every student, helping them to understand the importance of courage, sacrifice, and peace.

Last week, Armthorpe Academy was recognised as the second most improved school nationally for reducing its Persistent Absence (PA) rate, according to the latest Department for Education attendance analysis. This achievement highlights the dedication of staff, students, families, and the wider community in ensuring every day at school counts.

The data, published last week, combines Autumn and Spring term attendance figures for the previous academic year and identifies schools making the greatest progress in improving attendance and reducing persistent absence.

This outstanding progress at Armthorpe Academy is the result of a collaborative effort from staff, students, families, and partners, all committed to creating a positive school experience and ensuring every child can succeed.

“This is an incredible achievement for everyone connected to Armthorpe,” said David Bisley, Principal at Armthorpe Academy.

“Reducing persistent absence takes commitment, creativity, and care from every part of the school community. I’m incredibly proud of our students for their determination, our staff for their relentless efforts to engage and support, and our families for working alongside us. This recognition reflects the strength of our shared values and our focus on ensuring every child has the best possible opportunity to succeed.”

Nationally, the Department for Education reported an overall 0.3% improvement in attendance and a 1.6% reduction in persistent absence, with Armthorpe Academy standing out as one of the most improved schools in the country.

The achievement has also been highlighted by The Excellence Hub, which celebrates schools showing the most significant progress. Their approach focuses on “naming and faming” schools rather than the traditional “name and shame,” recognising the determination and teamwork behind every improvement story.

“Improving attendance isn’t easy - it’s one of the hardest challenges in education,” said a spokesperson from The Excellence Hub. “Schools featured here, including Armthorpe Academy, have made significant gains through dedication and persistence. This is about celebrating success and sharing best practice across the system.”

A huge thank you goes to everyone who played a part in this success at Armthorpe - staff, students, families, - whose commitment to attendance and engagement continues to drive positive change.