Ark Orchard Head Primary School, Pontefract

In its own words: "Our vision is to deliver an exceptional education that enables every young person who attends Orchard Head to grow in independence and confidence. We strive to create an environment where students can flourish through a wide range of enriching experiences beyond the classroom, ensuring they have the opportunity to succeed in all aspects of life."

From the headteacher's welcome: "It is with immense pleasure and pride that I extend a warm welcome to you on behalf of Orchard Head Primary School. We invite you to explore and learn more about our school, our journey, and our vision for the wonderful children of Orchard Head."

Coming up: an open day on Thursday, 22 October 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 96% of Year 6 pupils at Ark Orchard Head Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 96% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 75% in Wakefield and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (93% in reading, 95% in maths).

Year groups in primary schools are small, so a handful of pupils can move these figures by several points from one year to the next.

For September 2026 entry, 55 families put Ark Orchard Head Primary School as their first choice and 92 named it as one of their preferences, for 45 places offered. That is 1.2 first choices for every place. 10 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

First-choice demand has risen from 33 in 2021 to 55 in 2026, while places went from 44 to 45.

Across Wakefield, 94% of families were offered their first-choice primary school for 2026 entry, and 99% were offered one of the schools they named.

In 2025, families in Wakefield lodged 127 appeals against primary school offers; 79 reached a hearing and 11 succeeded (13.9% of those heard).

The nearest other state primary schools to Ark Orchard Head Primary School are Willow Green Academy (0.9 miles, Good, 70% reading, 77% maths); St Giles C of E Academy (0.9 miles, Good, 82% reading, 89% maths); Holy Family and St Michael's Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary Academy (0.9 miles, Good, 58% reading, 54% maths); and Cherry Tree Academy (1 mile, Requires improvement, 53% reading, 60% maths).

Ark Orchard Head Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

Ark Orchard Head Primary School is one of 48 schools run by ARK Schools, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 76% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2023/24.

49 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Ark Orchard Head Primary School (as of September 2025): 90% would recommend the school, 96% say their child is happy there and 69% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school has high expectations for their child (100%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (69%).

17.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (the average state school: 24.5%), and 5.3% speak English as an additional language (average: 18.5%), according to the 2025 school census.

In 2025, 51 pupils (14.2%) received SEN support and 13 (3.6%) had an education, health and care plan, against 15.6% and 3.9% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

Ark Orchard Head Primary School employed 11 teachers in 2024, roughly one for every 29 pupils. Their average salary was £41,729.

Its 2026 funding allocation works out at £5,064 per pupil (£1.7 million in total), including £86,355 of pupil premium for disadvantaged pupils.

The nearest railway station is Pontefract Monkhill Rail Station, about 800 metres away (roughly a 10-minute walk).

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Ark Orchard Head Primary School stands in is among the 30% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 155 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is close to the typical figure around schools in Wakefield (127).

In 2023/24, Ark Orchard Head Primary School issued 3 suspensions, 0.9 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 2.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Ark Orchard Head Primary School are Airedale Academy (1.2 miles) and Ark the King's School (1.6 miles).