De Lacy Academy
Knottingley, WF11 0BZ · Wakefield · secondary school
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3rd 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 — 7.1/10 against 478 of them, against 5.0/10 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 | 94 | 34% | 3.21 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 48.1 · 58 | 30% | 1.77 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.12 · 41 | 25% | 1.04 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.0 · 44 | 10% | 0.45 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
De Lacy Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 46.9% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 45.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.12 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in 2022. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.0 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join STEM, reading, debate, and School Council clubs. They participate in Delta Games and Rugby Union, perform in Winter Warmer and English Poetry events, and visit local care homes for litter picking.
Getting in
The published school roll is 853 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,210. 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 Progress 8 scores? What specific support is available for students aiming to raise their Attainment 8? How does the school maintain its Outstanding Ofsted rating in daily practice?
What Ofsted said about De Lacy Academy
Overview
De Lacy Academy is described as a place where pupils are "very happy and safe," enjoying "highly positive relationships" with staff and peers. The inspection highlights an "ambitious and exciting curriculum" that is designed to be "empowering," ensuring all pupils, including those with special educational needs, are well-supported to achieve academic success and personal growth.
Strengths
- Teachers are "very effective at teaching new material," explaining concepts clearly and checking understanding to help pupils retain knowledge long-term.
- The curriculum is "broad" and carefully designed to build knowledge over time, with specific improvements in subjects like modern foreign languages.
- Pupils display "exceptional" behaviour and are "mature, confident and inquisitive," with bullying being "very rare."
- Personal development is "exceptional," with a "highly effective" relationships and sex education curriculum that pupils find "useful and age-appropriate."
- Leadership is "highly effective" and "open and transparent," providing high-quality training and support that helps staff, particularly new teachers, to "flourish."
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, characterised by a "robust safeguarding culture" where every staff member takes responsibility for keeping pupils safe and acts swiftly on concerns.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 44.5 |
| 2024/25 | 45.6 |
| 2025/26 | 45.0 |
| 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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