Cherry Tree Academy, Pontefract

Ofsted's report card from its 9 September 2026 inspection grades Cherry Tree Academy on 7 areas: 1 strong standard, 5 expected standard and 1 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders, trustees and governors have a clear and accurate view of the school."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "The school's vision is for every child to thrive and grow into confident, independent and successful individuals."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "The curriculum carefully sequences knowledge from the early years to the end of key stage 2."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children learn in a calm and nurturing environment."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Pupils who face barriers to their learning receive effective support in lessons and at social times."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school's personal development programme helps pupils to understand life in modern Britain."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Over the past three years, too few pupils attained the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics by the time they left the school at the end of Year 6."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to embed their raising attainment strategies so that pupils' achievements are further improved"; "Leaders should further strengthen the strategies in place to ensure that pupils consistently demonstrate positive learning behaviours and take an active part in their learning every day".

In its own words: "We created our school vision together, working closely with parents and carers, staff and pupils. It reflects what matters most to our community and what we want for every child at Cherry Tree Academy."

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are a friendly, community-focussed 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 Cherry Tree - this is something that can only be experienced in person, so visits to meet our incredible children are always welcome!"

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care, from £3.00 per day.

In 2025, 53% of Year 6 pupils at Cherry Tree Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 60% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 75% in Wakefield and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 55% in reading and 50% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 22 families put Cherry Tree Academy as their first choice and 59 named it as one of their preferences, for 23 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 Cherry Tree Academy are Holy Family and St Michael's Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary Academy (under 0.1 miles, Good, 58% reading, 54% maths); Ark De Lacy Primary School (0.3 miles, Outstanding, 82% reading, 82% maths); St Giles C of E Academy (0.9 miles, Good, 82% reading, 89% maths); and Ark The Rookeries Carleton Primary School (1 mile, Good, 73% reading, 77% maths).

Cherry Tree Academy's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Cherry Tree Academy 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.

35 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Cherry Tree Academy (as of April 2026): 100% would recommend the school, 97% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that their child is happy at the school (97%).

48.1% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 11.2% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest railway station is Pontefract Baghill Rail Station, about 960 metres away (roughly a 12-minute walk).

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is St Michaels School (outside), 140 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 261 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Wakefield (130), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Cherry Tree Academy issued 32 suspensions, 13.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Cherry Tree Academy are Ark Carleton High School (1.2 miles) and Ark The King's School (1.3 miles).