SchoolScoresAiredale Junior Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 7 to 11 · Mixed
Part of CASTLEFORD ACADEMY TRUST
Fryston Road, Airedale, 23, Castleford, WF10 3EP
01977 556946 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 6 December 2017.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 19 April 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
79 pupils in this year group.
62% — about the same as the Wakefield average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Wakefield | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 62% | 63% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 4% | 9% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 71% | 73% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 71% | 74% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 75% | 74% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 104 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Wakefield. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Wakefield | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 3rd highest of 15 state primary schools in Castleford. Higher than 81% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 41.0% | 27.0%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 5th highest of 15 state primary schools in Castleford. Higher than 81% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 5.0% | 3.8%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 15 state primary schools in Castleford. Higher than 87% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 22.0% | 15.1%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 11th highest of 15 state primary schools in Castleford. Higher than 39% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 6.3% | 14.1%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 10th lowest of 15 state primary schools in Castleford. Lower than 16% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 6.5% | 5.3%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 11th lowest of 15 state primary schools in Castleford. Lower than 17% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 19.1% | 13.6%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 11th lowest of 15 state primary schools in Castleford. Lower than 11% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 6.6 | 3.3 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 13th lowest of 15 state primary schools in Castleford. Lower than 17% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 2.1% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 5th highest of 15 state primary schools in Castleford. Higher than 84% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 23.8 | 22.2 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 10th highest of 15 state primary schools in Castleford. Higher than 35% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 9.9 | 11.0 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 15 state primary schools in Castleford. Higher than 88% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 28.7% | 15.7%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Airedale Infant Academy 0.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025
- Townville Academy 0.0 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023, before conversion)
- Fairburn View Primary School, Castleford 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 30% met expected standard (KS2)
- Oyster Park Primary Academy 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 3 expected, 3 needs attention · 43% met expected standard (KS2)
- Glasshoughton Infant Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Castleford Park Junior Academy 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 61% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Castleford 1.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 52% met expected standard (KS2)
- Castleford Wheldon Infant School and Nursery 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2025
- Ark Orchard Head Primary School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), improved significantly 2025 · 89% met expected standard (KS2)
- Smawthorne Henry Moore Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2020, before conversion) · 47% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Airedale Junior Academy's Ofsted rating?
Airedale Junior Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 6 December 2017. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 19 April 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Airedale Junior Academy do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 62% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, about the same as the England average of 62%.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 141409.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.