Schools across Wakefield

Local authority · 161 schools across 11 towns

Total Schools

161

114 primary · 19 secondary

Total Pupils

57,188

86% capacity used

Ofsted Rated

47

6 outstanding · 41 good

Capacity

66,145

8,957 spare places

Ofsted Ratings

41
106
Outstanding: 6
Good: 41
Requires Improvement: 8
Not inspected: 106

Area Performance (2025)

KS2 Reading

74.4%

KS2 Maths

74.7%

School Capacity

Primary Schools

95% full
31,532 pupils33,350 capacity

1,818 spare places

Secondary Schools

89% full
21,279 pupils23,925 capacity

2,646 spare places

Pupil Absence

Avg Overall Absence

6.3%

2024/25

Avg Persistent Absence

16.1%

2024/25

Schools Reporting

134

2024/25

Absence trend across Wakefield schools

5.1%
18/19
4.5%
20/21
7.2%
21/22
6.7%
22/23
6.8%
23/24
6.3%
24/25

Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Average across all open schools in this LA.

EHCP Timeliness

Issued Within 20 Weeks

86%

Plans Issued

457

Assessment Requests

844

Tribunal Cases

13

EHCP timeliness trend (% issued within 20 weeks)

86%
2019
88%
2020
88%
2021
81%
2022
89%
2023
86%
2024

Source: DfE EHCP timeliness statistics. Shows how quickly this LA issues Education, Health and Care Plans.

Admission Appeals

2025 admission appeals by school phase

Primary

5,111 admissions

127

Lodged

(2.5%)

79

Heard

11

Successful

(14%)

Primary (infant classes)

4,147 admissions

71

Lodged

(1.7%)

49

Heard

4

Successful

(8%)

Secondary

4,737 admissions

123

Lodged

(2.6%)

104

Heard

30

Successful

(29%)

Total

9,848 admissions

250

Lodged

(2.5%)

183

Heard

41

Successful

(22%)

Total appeals lodged per year

1014
2019
1168
2020
612
2021
526
2022
581
2023
692
2024
571
2025

Source: DfE admission appeals statistics. Shows how competitive school places are in this area.