Castleford Academy is a secondary school in Castleford, serving pupils aged 11 to 16. The school is a academy converter and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It does not have a designated religious character, which may suit families looking for a non-faith school.
Castleford Academy currently has around 1477 pupils on roll, which is about 98% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 51.7% boys and 48.3% girls. Around 27.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. Pupil backgrounds are varied across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 8.6%. Persistent absence is recorded at 24%. The school also includes resourced provision, supporting 19 pupils.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (88.8%).
Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
Around 90% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (80%) , including 8% who stay in school sixth forms and 72% progressing to further education , while 5% enter apprenticeships .
| Address: | Ferrybridge Road, Castleford, WF10 4JQ |
| Website: | http://www.castlefordacademy.com |
| Telephone: | 01977605060 |
| School Type: | Academy converter |
| Education phase: | Secondary |
| Local authority: | Wakefield |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Mr Wesley Bush |
| Religious character: | Does not apply |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 136633 |
Ofsted inspection date: 28/01/2025
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 16 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 1500 |
| Number of Pupils: | 1477 |
| Number of Boys: | 763 |
| Number of Girls: | 714 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 8.6% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 24% | 8.2% |
| White British | 88.80% | 1311 |
| Other White | 3.40% | 50 |
| Other Mixed | 1.60% | 24 |
| Chinese | 1.20% | 18 |
| African | 1.20% | 17 |
| White and Asian | 0.90% | 13 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 0.50% | 7 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 0.40% | 6 |
| White and Black African | 0.40% | 6 |
| Pakistani | 0.40% | 6 |
| Other Asian | 0.30% | 5 |
| Indian | 0.30% | 5 |
| Irish | 0.10% | 2 |
| Caribbean | 0.10% | 2 |
| Other Black | 0.10% | 2 |
| Unclassified | 0.10% | 2 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.10% | 1 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.00% | 0 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.00% | 0 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castleford Park Junior School Medley Street , WF10 4BB | - not rated | 134 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Castleford Park Junior Academy Medley Street , WF10 4BB | 3out of 4 | 134 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Castleford Pontefract Road , WF10 4JB | - not rated | 276 yd | Voluntary aided school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Castleford Pontefract Road , WF10 4JB | - not rated | 276 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Glasshoughton Infant Academy Newfield Avenue , WF10 4BH | 3out of 4 | 415 yd | Academy converter | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three Lane Ends Middle School Methley Road , Three Lane Ends WF10 1PN | - not rated | 2,171 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castleford High School Technology and Sports College With Hearing Impairment Resource Ferrybridge Road , WF10 4JQ | - not rated | 0 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Castleford Academy Ferrybridge Road , WF10 4JQ | - not rated | 0 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Airedale Academy Crewe Road , Airedale WF10 3JU | 2out of 4 | 2,267 yd | Academy converter | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Airedale High School Crewe Road , Airedale WF10 3JU | - not rated | 2,267 yd | Community school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hill Top School Kershaw Avenue , Airedale WF10 3ES | - not rated | 1,792 yd | Community special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Wakefield Pathways School Poplar Avenue , Townville WF10 3QJ | - not rated | 2,068 yd | Community special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Pontefract the Castle School Poplar Avenue , Townville WF10 3QJ | - not rated | 2,170 yd | Community special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| The Grange School Methley Rd , WF10 1PN | - not rated | 2,229 yd | Other independent special school | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.