Ossett Academy and Sixth Form College
Ossett, WF5 0DG · Wakefield · secondary school
Check the area around this school
14th 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 — 7.4/10 against 914 of them, against 6.7/10 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 | 14 | 35% | 0.50 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 51.3 · 66 | 30% | 1.97 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.24 · 68 | 25% | 1.70 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 49.8 · 69 | 10% | 0.69 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Ossett Academy and Sixth Form College overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 55.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 51.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.24 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (8.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 7.2 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in February 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join ICT clubs and an after-school club. Music provision includes voice, piano, drums, guitar, bass guitar, trumpet, trombone, and saxophone. Trips include Alton Towers.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,699 pupils against a stated capacity of 2,000. 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 new Ofsted framework affect day-to-day teaching priorities? What specific support is available for pupils aiming to raise their Attainment 8 scores?
What Ofsted said about Ossett Academy and Sixth Form College
Overview
Ossett Academy and Sixth Form College is described as a school with a "warmth in this school community" where leaders apply "compassionate rigour" to maintain high expectations. The report highlights that pupils achieve well, with attainment in national tests consistently above national averages, and that vulnerable pupils make significant progress. While safeguarding standards are met and behaviour has improved markedly, the inspection identifies specific areas regarding attendance and teaching consistency that require further attention.
Strengths
- Pupils’ achievements in national tests are "consistently above or close to national averages," with the performance gap between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged pupils narrowing.
- The curriculum is "coherent and ambitious," with well-sequenced content that builds knowledge step-by-step, particularly in English, art, and science.
- Leaders prioritise vulnerable pupils, ensuring those with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive effective support through "personalised learning plans" and targeted interventions.
- Personal development is strong, with a structured programme helping pupils engage with ethical issues and develop leadership skills through committees and extra-curricular activities.
- Sixth-form students are "very well prepared for their next steps," with high-quality careers education and extensive enrichment opportunities.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must continue to work to improve pupils’ attendance and reduce rates of persistent absence, particularly for disadvantaged pupils.
- Leaders should support teachers, including those in the sixth form, to deliver the curriculum with a "high degree of consistency," ensuring concepts are explained well and pupils are questioned with precision.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 52.1 |
| 2024/25 | 51.0 |
| 2025/26 | 49.8 |
| 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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