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OpenSecondaryOfsted: Requires improvementURN 136613

Airedale Academy

Academy converter · Castleford · WF10 3JU

Ages 11–18 · 1,008 pupils · Wakefield

School website

Ofsted

Requires improvement

Attainment 8

34.0

Overall absence

13.1%

Admissions demand

0.97 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Requires improvement

Inspection date

2024-01-30

Overall effectiveness
Requires improvement
Quality of education
Requires improvement
Behaviour and attitudes
Requires improvement
Personal development
Requires improvement
Leadership and management
Requires improvement
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.72
−20+2
Attainment 834.0
English & maths grade 5+24%
English & maths grade 4+40%
EBacc entry18%

EBacc APS: 2.9

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence13.1%
Persistent absence (10%+)42.6%
Unauthorised6.8%
Authorised absence
6.3%
Severe absence (50%+)
5.5%
Enrolments in measure
1,050

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.97 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

164

Places offered

173

1st-preference offers

164

Total preferences (any rank)
225
Preferred offers (top 3)
169
Applications from outside LA
2
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill81%

1,008 pupils · 1,250 places

Pupils on roll
1,008
Boys / girls
469 / 539
School capacity
1,250
Capacity fill
1,008 / 1,250 (81%)
Free school meals
51.9%
FSM pupils
522
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: CASTLEFORD ACADEMY TRUST
Academy trust
CASTLEFORD ACADEMY TRUST
Sponsor
Castleford Academy
Headteacher
Mr Andy Percival

Location

Address
Crewe Road, Airedale
Postcode
WF10 3JU
Town
Castleford
County
West Yorkshire
Local authority
Wakefield
District
Wakefield
Constituency
Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Castleford, Wakefield, 1,008 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 51.9%.

Open schools in Castleford
19
Secondary schools in Castleford
3
Academies among open schools in Castleford
79% (15)
Open schools in WF10
19
Secondary in WF10
3
Open schools in Wakefield LA
158
Secondary in Wakefield LA
18

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in CastlefordNear WF10

  • Castleford Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Castleford · WF10 4JQ · Wakefield

    Ages 11–16

    • Att848.6
    • P80.4
    • EM5+51%
    • Absence8.6%

    1.3 miles away

  • The King's School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Pontefract · WF8 4JF · Wakefield

    Ages 11–16

    • Att849.0
    • P80.1
    • EM5+57%
    • Absence7.5%

    2.5 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Andy Percival
Telephone
01977664555
Website
http://www.airedaleacademy.com/

Official links