Ark the Rookeries Carleton Primary School, Pontefract

In its own words: "Our vision is to provide a first-class education to all young people so that they make outstanding progress and get the chances in life they deserve. We know that we are better when we work together."

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am honoured to be a part of this wonderful school community, dedicated to nurturing the minds and hearts of young learners. At The Rookeries, our mission is clear and resolute: to empower each and every child to flourish academically and socially, enabling them to reach their full potential."

In 2025, 73% of Year 6 pupils at Ark the Rookeries Carleton Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 77% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 75% in Wakefield and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 89% in reading and 86% in maths in 2024.

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, 30 families put Ark the Rookeries Carleton Primary School as their first choice and 86 named it as one of their preferences, for 32 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places, so in 2026 a family who put it first could expect an offer unless the school's other criteria ruled them out.

First-choice demand has fallen from 36 in 2021 to 30 in 2026, while places went from 39 to 32.

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 the Rookeries Carleton Primary School are Ark Carleton Park Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 93% reading, 97% maths); Ark De Lacy Primary School (0.7 miles, Outstanding, 82% reading, 82% maths); Ark Larks Hill Primary School (1 mile, Good, 100% reading, 97% maths); and Cherry Tree Academy (1 mile, Requires improvement, 53% reading, 60% maths).

Ark the Rookeries Carleton Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Ark the Rookeries Carleton 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.

20% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (the average state school: 24.5%), and 4.1% speak English as an additional language (average: 18.5%), according to the 2025 school census.

In 2025, 41 pupils (12.8%) received SEN support and 31 (9.7%) 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 hearing impairment. The school has resourced provision for pupils with particular needs.

Ark the Rookeries Carleton Primary School employed 12 teachers in 2024, roughly one for every 26 pupils. Their average salary was £37,849.

Its 2026 funding allocation works out at £5,218 per pupil (£1.8 million in total), including £95,445 of pupil premium for disadvantaged pupils.

The nearest railway station is Pontefract Baghill Rail Station, about 0.9 miles away.

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Carleton Road Fair View (at), 120 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Ark the Rookeries Carleton Primary School stands in is among the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 144 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 the Rookeries Carleton Primary School issued 4 suspensions, 1.2 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 2.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Ark the Rookeries Carleton Primary School are Ark Carleton High School (0.2 miles), Ark the King's School (0.9 miles) and The Featherstone Academy (1.9 miles).