Ark Carleton High School
Pontefract, WF8 3NW · Wakefield · secondary school
Check the area around this school
11th of 18 secondary schools in Wakefield we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 6.5/10 against 802 of them, against 5.2/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 45.2 · 50 | 30% | 1.51 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.12 · 58 | 25% | 1.46 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 44.3 · 41 | 10% | 0.41 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Ark Carleton High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 45.9% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 47.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.12 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Good in December 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.7 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,026 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,050. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
With 24 places currently spare, how does the school manage entry-year availability for new students? Since the Progress 8 score is positive but modest, what specific support is offered to pupils who need to close the gap in English and maths? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating while managing a roll close to its 1050-place capacity?
What Ofsted said about Ark Carleton High School
Overview
This ungraded inspection found that the school’s work has “improved significantly across all areas” since the previous inspection, prompting a future graded inspection. The report highlights a strong sense of community, describing a “tangible sense of ‘family’” where pupils feel safe and enjoy learning. Leaders have established a “‘no excuses’ culture” that drives continuous improvement and high ambition for all students.
Strengths
- The school delivers a “sophisticated curriculum” that helps pupils “connect important knowledge together” and apply it to real-world contexts.
- Teachers “bring lessons to life” through storytelling and skilled questioning, ensuring all pupils “actively participate” and receive continual feedback.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive support that is “precisely matched to their needs,” with weak readers identified quickly.
- There is a “rich programme of personal development,” including debates on social issues, comprehensive careers guidance, and extensive extracurricular clubs.
- Pupils are “unfailingly polite and courteous,” maintaining “exceptionally warm relationships” with staff and mentoring younger peers.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 47.4 |
| 2024/25 | 47.5 |
| 2025/26 | 44.3 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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