Classpot

Airedale Academy

Wakefield, WF10 3JUSecondaryAges 11–18MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Requires Improvement
Jan 2024
Progress 8
-0.72
Well below average
−20+2
Competition
0.8×
Not oversubscribed
141 1st-choice / 177 places
Ranking
#2,866
of 3,141 nationally

About Airedale Academy

Airedale Academy is a mixed secondary school in Wakefield with a current roll of 1,063 pupils against a capacity of 1,250, meaning it has room to grow. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 49.6%, which is significantly higher than the national average and signals a catchment with considerable socio-economic challenge. Despite this, the school is oversubscribed for the 2025/26 academic year: it received 211 applications for 177 places, with 141 of those coming as first preferences. That oversubscription ratio of 1.19 suggests strong local demand, even though the school’s most recent Ofsted inspection in January 2024 rated it as Requires Improvement across all areas, including behaviour, leadership, and sixth-form provision. This marks a downgrade from its previous Good rating in 2017, and parents considering the school will want to weigh the community pull against the current inspection outcome.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 18 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressCrewe Road, Castleford, Wakefield, WF10 3JU
HeadteacherAndy Percival
Local AuthorityWakefield
Number of Pupils1,063
Free School Meals (FSM)49.6%
School Capacity1,063 / 1,250 (85% full)
Sixth FormYes

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

30 Jan 2024
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Requires improvement
Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Behaviour & Attitudes
Requires improvement
Personal Development
Requires improvement
Leadership & Management
Requires improvement
Sixth Form Provision
Requires improvement

Source: Ofsted, 19 Mar 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

7
LibraryTheatreGymnasiumMusic RoomsDining HallSixth Form CentreChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

16

Sports

CricketNetballGymnasticsFootballRowingAthleticsMartial ArtsRounders

Clubs & Activities

ChessDebateScience ClubGardeningCodingBook ClubDuke of EdinburghModel United Nations

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultySevere LearningOther

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:45 – 15:00

Source: airedaleacademy.com. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Airedale Academy

Airedale Academy has been rated "Requires Improvement" by Ofsted. This means the school is not yet good, but inspectors believe it can improve with the right support and changes.