SchoolScoresThe Featherstone Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of RESILIENCE MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Pontefract Road, Featherstone, Pontefract, WF7 5AJ
01977 698000 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 7 February 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 | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 24 March 2022: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
87 pupils in this year group.
36% — 10 points below the Wakefield average, and 10 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Wakefield | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 36% | 46% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 41.6 | 45.1 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 3.9 | 4.0 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
88 pupils in this year group.
93% — 4 points above the Wakefield average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Wakefield | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 93% | 89% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 2% | 12% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 36% | 28% | 13% |
| Further education college | 48% | 41% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 4% | 3% |
| Work | 3% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 86% | 93% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. 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 secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 98 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 96 |
| Of those, offered a place | 96 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 231 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.0
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
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 20 places for speech, language and communication needs; Autism. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Wakefield | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Pontefract. Higher than 78% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 41.0% | 29.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 6 state secondary schools in Pontefract. Higher than 97% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 7.6% | 4.1%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 6 state secondary schools in Pontefract. Higher than 91% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 21.4% | 14.3%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 5th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Pontefract. Higher than 15% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.6% | 10.7%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Pontefract. Lower than 29% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 9.6% | 9.6%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 4th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Pontefract. Lower than 47% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 24.0% | 26.1%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 6th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Pontefract. Lower than 1% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 114.9 | 46.7 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 6th lowest of 6 state secondary schools in Pontefract. Lower than 2% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 22.9% | 10.8% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded6 pupils | 1.15% | 0.35% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 6th highest of 6 state secondary schools in Pontefract. Higher than 54% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.0 | 18.1 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 1st highest of 6 state secondary schools in Pontefract. Higher than 92% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 14.4 | 12.5 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 6 state secondary schools in Pontefract. Higher than 98% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 33.3% | 14.5%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby secondary schools
- Ark the King's School 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 60% grade 5+ English and maths
- New College Pontefract 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · B- average A level grade
- St Wilfrid's Catholic High School and Sixth Form College: A Voluntary Academy 1.6 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 50% grade 5+ English and maths
- Ark Carleton High School 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Inadequate (2017), improved significantly 2024 · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- Ackworth School 1.9 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 19% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Featherstone Academy's Ofsted rating?
The Featherstone Academy was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 7 February 2017. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 24 March 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did The Featherstone Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 36% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 10 points below the England average of 45%.
Is The Featherstone Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 96 families put The Featherstone Academy as their first choice for 98 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 96 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 138593.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.