St Wilfrid's Catholic High School & Sixth Form College: A Voluntary Academy
82%
Capacity
1,481
Pupils
2.2x
Demand
About St Wilfrid's Catholic High School & Sixth Form College: A Voluntary Academy
St Wilfrid's Catholic High School & Sixth Form College: A Voluntary Academy is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Wakefield community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,481 pupils on roll and is well-filled (82% of 1,800 places).
Ofsted has rated St Wilfrid's Catholic High School & Sixth Form College: A Voluntary Academy "Good", the school is led by headteacher Philip Dore, it falls under Wakefield local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.01 is below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 47.7. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C+. Additionally, ranked 1549th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 10th out of 18 in Wakefield.
St Wilfrid's Catholic High School & Sixth Form College: A Voluntary Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 590 applications for 270 places, making it 2.2x oversubscribed. Of these, 256 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Wilfrid's Catholic High School & Sixth Form College: A Voluntary Academy include Swimming Pool, Library, Sixth Form Centre, Theatre, Astro Turf, ICT Suite, Tennis Courts, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Netball, Cross Country, Rowing, Swimming and 2 more, as well as clubs including Newspaper, Art Club, Coding, Gardening and 5 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 21.2%, which is close to the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Wakefield, St Wilfrid's Catholic High School & Sixth Form College: 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 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Cutsyke Road, Pontefract, Wakefield, WF7 6BD |
| Headteacher | Philip Dore |
| Local Authority | Wakefield |
| Number of Pupils | 1,481 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 21.2% |
| School Capacity | 1,481 / 1,800 (82% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
18 Nov 2021Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (18 Nov 2021): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 23 Apr 2012. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.01)
1549th of 3,141
Nationally
137th of 306
In Yorkshire and the Humber
10th of 18
In Wakefield
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make similar progress to students nationally with the same starting point
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.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
31.9
'22/23
28.6
'23/24
31.8
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Resourced ProvisionSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
15Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed270
590
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
256 families put this school as their 1st choice (43% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Wilfrid's Catholic High School & Sixth Form College: 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
Cutsyke Road, Pontefract
Wakefield, WF7 6BD
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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