Oulton Academy, Leeds

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am thrilled to extend a warm welcome to you all to Oulton Academy, a vibrant community school nestled in the heart of South Leeds, West Yorkshire. I am delighted to share with you the fantastic news that Oulton Academy has recently been awarded an ' Outstanding ' rating by OFSTED ."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis, athletics, gymnastics, basketball and choir.

In 2026, pupils at Oulton Academy averaged an Attainment 8 score of 48.4, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 46.7 in Leeds and 47 across England.

56% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 48% in Leeds and 47% in England.

That is up from 44.9 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was 0.43: pupils made above average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 37, against 53.8 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 16.8 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 23 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Art and Design and History.

For September 2026 entry, 231 families put Oulton Academy as their first choice and 547 named it as one of their preferences, for 264 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 secondary schools to Oulton Academy are Rodillian Academy (1.7 miles, Good, Attainment 8 45.9); Outwood Grange Academy (3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 49.2); Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy (3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 41.8); and Brigshaw High School (3.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 51.5).

Oulton Academy's 2026 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

Oulton Academy is one of 8 schools run by Carlton Academy Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 200 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 86% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 48% to a further education college, 2% to an apprenticeship and 2% into work.

6.6% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (83%) and Mixed (6%).

In 2026, 270 pupils (23.9%) received SEN support and 24 (2.1%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Woodlesford Rail Station, about 1.5 miles away in a straight line.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Pennington Lane Royds School, 90 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 34 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and burglary. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Leeds (229).

In 2024/25, Oulton Academy issued 1057 suspensions, 96.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to Oulton Academy are Rothwell St Mary's RC Primary School (0.7 miles); Rothwell Primary School (1 mile); Oulton Primary School (1.1 miles); and Holy Trinity Church of England Academy, Rothwell (1.3 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.