Cherry Tree Academy
Pontefract, WF8 2HN · Wakefield · primary school
Check the area around this school
90th of 98 primary schools in Wakefield we can score, 113 in total — the rest without enough published data. 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 — 3.2/10 against 1,273 of them, against 2.6/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 49.0 · 17 | 40% | 0.69 |
| Ofsted | 3 | 35% | 0.10 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 5.0 · 40 | 25% | 1.00 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Cherry Tree Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 49.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, the figure was 5.0% against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school "Requires improvement" in March 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (3.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.6 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 233 pupils against a stated capacity of 315. 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
How does the school support pupils to improve their reading and writing scores? What specific actions are being taken to address the "Requires improvement" rating?
What Ofsted said about Cherry Tree Academy
Overview
Cherry Tree Academy is judged as ‘Requires improvement’ overall, with the quality of education also rated ‘Requires improvement’. However, the school receives ‘Good’ ratings for behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. Leaders maintain high expectations, but these are not yet consistently realised across the entire curriculum.
Strengths
- Early years provision is a strength, with carefully planned activities and adults who have ‘thorough’ subject knowledge.
- Reading is effective; sessions are delivered by ‘highly skilled adults’ who model sounds precisely, helping pupils develop accuracy and fluency.
- Pupils behave well, with bullying happening ‘rarely’ and adults resolving issues ‘immediately’.
- The curriculum is ‘well-sequenced’ in some areas, with teachers revisiting prior learning to support understanding.
- Staff are ‘positive’ about recent developments and are well supported through training and professional development.
Areas to improve
- Attendance initiatives are not having enough impact; the school must work further with parents to ensure pupils attend regularly and on time.
- The school has not checked the impact of some curriculum initiatives; systems must be put in place to verify if the ‘ambitious vision is being realised across the curriculum’.
- Older pupils have significant gaps in knowledge that are not being addressed quickly enough; the school must close these gaps to prepare them for secondary schooling.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘the arrangements for safeguarding are effective’.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 26% |
| 2023/24 | 43% |
| 2024/25 | 49% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 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
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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