Classpot

Trinity Academy Cathedral

Wakefield, WF2 8QFSecondaryAges 11–16MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Outstanding
May 2022
Progress 8
+0.34
Above average
−20+2
Competition
1.5×
Oversubscribed
304 1st-choice / 198 places
Ranking
🏆Top 25%
#768 of 3,141 nationally

About Trinity Academy Cathedral

Parents considering Trinity Academy Cathedral will find a school that clearly commands strong local confidence. In the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 589 applications for 198 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of nearly three to one. Of those applicants, 304 put it as their first preference, and 191 first-preference offers were made. That level of demand is a practical signal that families in the Wakefield area rate the school highly. The school is a Church of England secondary for pupils aged 11 to 16, with no sixth form, and is led by headteacher Anna Gillinder. It is one of only two schools in the local authority to hold an Outstanding rating from Ofsted, a status it earned in its most recent graded inspection in 2022. That inspection awarded top marks across every category: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. It is a significant turnaround from the school's previous inspection in 2016, when it was rated Requires Improvement.

Key Details

School TypeSecondary (State)
Age Range11 to 16 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterChurch of England
AddressThornes Road, Wakefield, Wakefield, WF2 8QF
HeadteacherAnna Gillinder
Local AuthorityWakefield
Number of Pupils1,037
Free School Meals (FSM)41.4%
School Capacity1,037 / 1,050 (99% full)

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

25 May 2022
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of Education
Outstanding
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Outstanding

Source: Ofsted, 19 Jul 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

13
Music RoomsLibrarySixth Form CentrePlaying FieldsGymnasiumSwimming PoolICT SuiteSports HallTheatreAstro TurfScience LabsArt StudiosChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

19

Sports

NetballCross CountryBadmintonGymnasticsSwimmingAthleticsDanceTennisFootballBasketball

Clubs & Activities

GardeningOrchestraChoirModel United NationsEco ClubCodingNewspaperChessDrama

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

SEND Support

AutismDyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingVisionPhysicalLearning DifficultySevere LearningMulti-SensoryOther

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Trinity Academy Cathedral

Trinity Academy Cathedral has been rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted. This means the school provides an exceptional quality of education, and pupils thrive both academically and personally.