Ackworth Mill Dam School, Pontefract

Ofsted's report card from its 6 May 2026 inspection grades Ackworth Mill Dam School on 7 areas: 7 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils generally achieve well."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Attendance is a high priority for the school."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed a curriculum that is well-considered and established."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders prioritise the early years."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders identify pupils' additional needs quickly and accurately, including for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who are disadvantaged."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders are ambitious in providing a culture where pupils achieve success."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school has developed a personal, social and health education (PSHE) programme that meets statutory requirements."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should refine the order of important knowledge and skills in the early years curriculum, to ensure that children's learning builds on what they already know and can do"; "Leaders should further refine systems to monitor the progress of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, ensuring that any adaptations and support that staff provide are fully effective".

In its own words: "Our vision is to enable every child, regardless of ability, to achieve their full potential, to be prepared for future life and to become lifelong learners. We will do this by providing a welcoming, happy, safe and supportive learning environment in which everyone is equal and all achievements are celebrated."

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are a friendly, community-focused school and pride ourselves on the provision we offer all children through a highly-inclusive ethos, engaging curriculum, exciting learning environment and creative approach to education. Many visitors comment on the ‘feel’ of Mill Dam - this is something that can only be experienced in person, so visits to school are always welcome!"

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include netball, yoga, dance, choir, STEM, eco club and forest school.

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care, from £4 per session.

In 2025, 76% of Year 6 pupils at Ackworth Mill Dam School reached the expected standard in reading and 72% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 75% in Wakefield and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 69% in reading and 85% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 23 families put Ackworth Mill Dam School as their first choice and 65 named it as one of their preferences, for 24 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Ackworth Mill Dam School are Outwood Primary Academy Bell Lane (0.4 miles, Good, 88% reading, 85% maths); Ackworth Howard Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior and Infant School (0.7 miles, Good, 93% reading, 97% maths); Badsworth Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior and Infant School (1.6 miles, Good, 83% reading, 90% maths); and Fitzwilliam Primary School (1.8 miles, Good, 71% reading, 57% maths).

Ackworth Mill Dam School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Ackworth Mill Dam School is one of 16 schools run by Waterton Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 65% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

13.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 2.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest railway station is Fitzwilliam Rail Station, about 1.9 miles away in a straight line.

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Doncaster Road Estate, 330 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 39 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, other theft and vehicle crime. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Wakefield (130).

In 2024/25, Ackworth Mill Dam School issued 2 suspensions, 0.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.