South Ossett Infant Academy
89%
Capacity
80
Pupils
3.4x
Demand
About South Ossett Infant Academy
South Ossett Infant Academy was rated Good in its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023, a change from its previous Outstanding rating in 2010. The inspection report awarded Good across all five graded categories, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. This is a small infant school with just 80 pupils on roll, serving children aged 3 to 7 in Wakefield. The school has a nursery provision, making it a natural choice for families looking for continuity from early years through to Key Stage 1. With a capacity of 90, it is nearly full, and the 2025/26 admissions data shows it is oversubscribed: 57 applications were received for 17 places, a ratio of 3.35 applicants per place. Sixteen of those applications were first preferences, and 16 first-preference offers were made, indicating strong local demand.
Because South Ossett Infant Academy only covers Reception to Year 2, it does not participate in Key Stage 2 SATs, so there are no KS2 attainment scores to compare against the Wakefield local authority average of 64. The school’s academic story is best told through its Ofsted record and the fact that it has held a Good rating across its most recent inspection, with all areas judged to be at least Good. The previous inspection in 2010 rated the school Outstanding overall, with Outstanding for early years provision, leadership and management, and overall effectiveness. The current inspection shows a slight dip in the early years grade from Outstanding to Good, but the school remains solidly Good across the board. For parents considering infant schools, this track record suggests consistent quality, even if the headline rating has changed.
The school offers a range of facilities including a dining hall, ICT suite, music rooms, and a sports hall, along with clubs such as choir, drama, chess, film club, and book club. Sports on offer include football, cricket, gymnastics, and netball. For children with additional needs, the school provides support for moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, and speech, language and communication needs. The nearest Outstanding-rated school in the local authority is Ossett Southdale Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior School, just 0.6 km away, which may be a natural next step for families after Year 2. With its small size, strong local demand, and nursery provision, South Ossett Infant Academy suits families who want a close-knit infant setting with a broad range of activities and clear SEND support, all within the Wakefield area.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 3 to 7 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Vicar Lane, Ossett, Wakefield, WF5 0BE |
| Headteacher | Hannah Young |
| Local Authority | Wakefield |
| Number of Pupils | 80 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 6.3% |
| School Capacity | 80 / 90 (89% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
5 Dec 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 31 Jan 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
4Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
9Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed17
57
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
16 families put this school as their 1st choice (28% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Lower-disadvantage intake compared to the national average (25%).
Below most schools — predominantly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British88.8%
- White (other)3.8%
- Mixed3.8%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
9
Total schools
8
Oversubscribed
8
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
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Frequently Asked Questions About South Ossett Infant Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Vicar Lane, Ossett
Wakefield, WF5 0BE
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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