SchoolScoresArk Orchard Head Primary School
Academy · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Nursery class
Part of ARK SCHOOLS
Orchard Head Lane, Pontefract, WF8 2NJ
01977 723495 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 7 November 2019.
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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 12 March 2025: Ofsted found the school had improved significantly.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
49 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Pontefract comparisons use the 18 of its 36 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 18 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Pontefract | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 8th highest of 18 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Pontefract. Higher than 54% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96% | 92% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 11th highest of 18 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Pontefract. Higher than 29% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 92% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 7th highest of 18 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Pontefract. Higher than 52% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 87% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 16 parents whose child had been bullied 5th highest of 12 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Pontefract. Higher than 52% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 56% | 50% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 38 parents who had raised a concern 7th highest of 18 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Pontefract. Higher than 45% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 82% | 76% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 6th highest of 18 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Pontefract. Higher than 44% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90%said yes | 84% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 14%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Pontefract figures pool parents at the Pontefract schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
46 pupils in this year group.
89% — 26 points above the Wakefield average, and 27 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Wakefield | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 89% | 63% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 26% | 9% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 96% | 73% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 89% | 74% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 96% | 74% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 109 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 112 | 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.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 45 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 55 |
| Of those, offered a place | 45 (82%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 92 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.4 · 2026: 1.2
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Wakefield | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 27th highest of 36 state primary schools in Pontefract. Higher than 47% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 20.4% | 27.0%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 17th highest of 36 state primary schools in Pontefract. Higher than 62% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.6% | 3.8%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 21st highest of 36 state primary schools in Pontefract. Higher than 50% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 14.3% | 15.1%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 23rd highest of 36 state primary schools in Pontefract. Higher than 35% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 5.3% | 14.1%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 10th lowest of 36 state primary schools in Pontefract. Lower than 69% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.4% | 5.3%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 10th lowest of 36 state primary schools in Pontefract. Lower than 66% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 9.1% | 13.6%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 1st lowest of 36 state primary schools in Pontefract. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0 | 3.3 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once Joint 1st lowest of 36 state primary schools in Pontefract. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 28th highest of 36 state primary schools in Pontefract. Higher than 47% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 20.4 | 22.2 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 19th highest of 36 state primary schools in Pontefract. Higher than 49% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 10.7 | 11.0 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 18th highest of 35 state primary schools in Pontefract. Higher than 55% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 13.9% | 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
- Willow Green Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed, may be improving 2023 · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Giles CofE Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), improved significantly 2025 · 78% met expected standard (KS2)
- Holy Family and St Michael's Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary Academy 0.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2011, before conversion), confirmed 2022 · 35% met expected standard (KS2)
- Cherry Tree Academy 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 49% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ark De Lacy Primary School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2024) · 80% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Pontefract 1.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 77% met expected standard (KS2)
- Airedale Junior Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2023 · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- Airedale Infant Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025
- Townville Academy 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023, before conversion)
- Simpson's Lane Academy 1.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 84% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Ark Orchard Head Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Ark Orchard Head Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 7 November 2019. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 12 March 2025, Ofsted found the school had improved significantly.
How did Ark Orchard Head Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 89% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 27 points above the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Ark Orchard Head Primary School?
90% of the 49 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend Ark Orchard Head Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Ark Orchard Head Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 55 families put Ark Orchard Head Primary School as their first choice for 45 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 45 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 139503.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- 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.