St Thomas à Becket Catholic Secondary School, A Voluntary Academy
102%
Capacity
763
Pupils
3.0x
Demand
About St Thomas à Becket Catholic Secondary School, A Voluntary Academy
St Thomas à Becket Catholic Secondary School, A Voluntary Academy is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Wakefield community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 763 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (102% of 750 places).
Ofsted has rated St Thomas à Becket Catholic Secondary School, A Voluntary Academy "Good", the school is led by headteacher Patrick Caldwell, it falls under Wakefield local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.29 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 46.5. Additionally, ranked 864th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 4th out of 18 in Wakefield.
St Thomas à Becket Catholic Secondary School, A Voluntary Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 423 applications for 143 places, making it 3.0x oversubscribed. Of these, 178 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Thomas à Becket Catholic Secondary School, A Voluntary Academy include Sports Hall, ICT Suite, Gymnasium, Swimming Pool, Art Studios, Playing Fields, Music Rooms, Astro Turf, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Rounders, Netball, Swimming, Football and 5 more, as well as clubs including Drama, Choir, Gardening, Model UN and 6 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 26.5%, which is above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Wakefield, St Thomas à Becket Catholic Secondary School, A Voluntary Academy is one of the options available in the Yorkshire and the Humber region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Barnsley Road, Wakefield, Wakefield, WF2 6EQ |
| Headteacher | Patrick Caldwell |
| Local Authority | Wakefield |
| Number of Pupils | 763 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 26.5% |
| School Capacity | 763 / 750 (102% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
29 Mar 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Source: Ofsted, 24 May 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.29)
864th of 3,141
Nationally
73rd of 306
In Yorkshire and the Humber
4th of 18
In Wakefield
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make more progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
SEND Support
Resourced ProvisionSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
19Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed143
423
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
178 families put this school as their 1st choice (42% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Thomas à Becket Catholic Secondary School, A Voluntary 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
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Barnsley Road, Wakefield
Wakefield, WF2 6EQ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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