Garforth Academy
About Garforth Academy
Garforth Academy is a large secondary school in Leeds that currently educates 1,880 pupils against a capacity of 2,065, meaning it is running close to full but still has some headroom. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 16.8%, which is notably higher than the national average for secondary schools, reflecting a genuinely mixed intake. Demand for places is strong: for the 2025/26 academic year, the school received 730 applications for 300 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.43, and made 290 offers to first-preference families out of 297 who put it top. That level of competition suggests the school is a popular choice among local parents, and the fact that 77% of respondents in the most recent Parent View survey would recommend it to another family backs that up. The school is non-denominational, mixed-gender, and serves the full 11–18 age range, with a dedicated sixth form centre on site.
Key Details
The full report on this school
What 286 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
5 Nov 2024From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.
Source: Ofsted, 12 Jan 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
11Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
16Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Garforth Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications