St Wilfrid's Catholic High School & Sixth Form College: A Voluntary Academy
Pontefract, WF7 6BD · Wakefield · secondary school
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16th of 18 secondary schools in Wakefield we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 4.4/10 against 904 of them, against 4.6/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 18 | 35% | 0.63 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 41.5 · 41 | 30% | 1.23 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.01 · 50 | 25% | 1.24 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 46.1 · 51 | 10% | 0.51 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Wilfrid's Catholic High School & Sixth Form College: A Voluntary Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 49.6% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 46.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.01 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (6.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.7 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in March 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,470 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,800. 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 new Ofsted framework affect current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about St Wilfrid's Catholic High School & Sixth Form College: A Voluntary Academy
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils are supported to be successful, arriving "eager to learn" and finding staff "committed to their achievement." Leaders have established a culture built on "respect, collaboration and high expectations," fostering a "genuine sense of safety and care" that enhances pupils' wellbeing. The school is inclusive, with effective systems for supporting those with additional needs, though consistency in some areas requires further development.
Strengths
- Personal development is rated at a "Strong standard," with a programme "woven through all parts of the school" that promotes debate, tolerance, and community engagement.
- Pupils benefit from a "calm and positive atmosphere" in lessons, where they "share ideas and show curiosity for their learning."
- Attendance and behaviour are effective, with "clear expectations" supporting positive conduct and a reduction in suspensions, particularly for pupils with SEND.
- The sixth form offers a "tailored learning experience" with subject experts who adapt teaching, ensuring all 2025 leavers secured places in higher education or jobs.
- Inclusion is central to the school’s work, ensuring all pupils feel welcome and receive "additional support to access their learning and wellbeing."
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure staff "consistently implement checks on pupils’ learning" to identify knowledge gaps and inform future lesson design.
- Leaders should further develop oversight of inclusion, ensuring support is "carefully reviewed and adjusted" to consistently improve outcomes.
- Leaders should ensure teachers "consistently apply their expert knowledge" of subjects and pupil understanding so achievement continues to improve across the curriculum.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 47.7 |
| 2024/25 | 46.7 |
| 2025/26 | 46.1 |
| 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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