Best Secondary Schools in Wakefield 2026

Ranked by Ofsted rating, exam results, attendance, and class sizes. 18 schools across Wakefield. Updated with 2025–26 data.

Wakefield has 18 secondary schools, of which 3 (17%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and a further 12 rated Good — 83% of secondary schools in Wakefield are rated Good or Outstanding overall. Trinity Academy Cathedral currently leads the local rankings on our composite SNM Score.

Application deadlines in Wakefield follow the national calendar: 31 October for Year 7 secondary entry and 15 January for Reception primary entry. Offers go out on 1 March and 16 April respectively.

18
Total schools
3
Outstanding
17%
Outstanding rate
64.7%
Avg KS2 SATs
38.3
Avg GCSE A8
All schools Primary Secondary
Rank School Ofsted SNM Score
🥇 Trinity Academy Cathedral
Secondary
 Outstanding 71 View school
🥈 De Lacy Academy
Secondary
 Outstanding 67 View school
🥉 Ossett Academy and Sixth Form College
Secondary
 Good 66 View school
4. The King's School
Secondary
 Good 65 View school
5. Horbury Academy
Secondary
 Good 63 View school
6. Carleton High School
Secondary
 Good 62 View school
7. Outwood Grange Academy
Secondary
 Good 62 View school
8. Kettlethorpe High School
Secondary
 Good 61 View school
9. St Wilfrid's Catholic High School & Sixth Form College: A Voluntary Academy
Secondary
 Good 61 View school
10. Crofton Academy
Secondary
 Good 61 View school
11. St Thomas à Becket Catholic Secondary School, A Voluntary Academy
Secondary
 Good 60 View school
12. The Featherstone Academy
Secondary
 Good 54 View school
13. Minsthorpe Community College
Secondary
 Good 54 View school
14. Outwood Academy City Fields
Secondary
 Good 51 View school
15. Castleford Academy
Secondary
 Outstanding 48 View school
16. Outwood Academy Freeston
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 43 View school
17. Outwood Academy Hemsworth
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 39 View school
18. Airedale Academy
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 35 View school

Related lists for Wakefield

All schools in WakefieldPrimary & secondary combined Primary schools in WakefieldReception–Year 6 only Outstanding schools in Wakefield3 schools rated Outstanding

See full data for any school in Wakefield

Catchment distances, exam trends, SEN data, attendance, and more — all in one place.

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Frequently asked questions

How many secondary schools are there in Wakefield?
There are 18 secondary schools in Wakefield, of which 3 (17%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
What are the best schools in Wakefield?
Based on our composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance and class sizes, the top school in Wakefield is Trinity Academy Cathedral. See the full ranked list above.
How do I apply for a school place in Wakefield?
Primary and secondary school applications in Wakefield are managed by the Local Authority. Applications for secondary places typically open in September for the following academic year. Visit the Wakefield council website for application forms and deadlines.
What is the average Ofsted rating in Wakefield?
17% of secondary schools in Wakefield are rated Outstanding and 67% are rated Good. 75.2% are rated Good or Outstanding.

Data sourced from Ofsted, Department for Education, and ISI. School rankings reflect the Schools Near Me composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance, and pupil-teacher ratios. Last updated April 2026.