Outwood Academy Freeston, Normanton

Requires Improvement
Secondary
Academy converter
Mixed
Ages 1116

Data last updated 11 Sept 2026

Location

Very likely (~2.7km)Possible (~3.9km)Unlikely (~5.1km)Confidence: medium

Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data. Admissions policy: Non-selective

Key Information

DfE GIAS
Head:Principal Lisa Allott
Pupils:993 / 1,050 capacity
LA:Wakefield
Phone:01924302560
Address:Favell Avenue, Normanton, WF6 1HZ
Trust:OUTWOOD GRANGE ACADEMIES TRUST
Admissions:Non-selective
Status:open
Opened:1 May 2018

Ofsted Rating

Ofsted · 1 year ago
-

Overall

Good

Quality of Education

Good

Behaviour & Attitudes

Good

Personal Development

Good

Leadership & Management

Inspected 20 May 2025View full report
URN:145937
UKPRN:10067619
Constituency:Normanton and Hemsworth
Urban/Rural:Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Ofsted Insights

What This School Does Well

Your child will be taught by knowledgeable teachers using a carefully planned curriculum supported by the latest research. The school celebrates kindness and diversity, with pupils taking pride in their achievements and developing secure knowledge they can apply across subjects. Strong support systems ensure all pupils, including those with additional needs, are fully included and well-prepared for their next steps.

Key Strengths

  • Well-planned curriculum based on latest educational research with strong subject knowledge from teachers
  • Pupils achieve well in examinations with improving results year on year
  • Strong systems for behaviour management with reducing pupil suspensions
  • Comprehensive personal development programme helping pupils understand British values and career guidance
  • Excellent support for pupils with special educational needs, identified quickly and fully integrated into school life

Areas for Improvement

  • Teachers do not consistently check pupils' understanding, meaning some misconceptions and knowledge gaps go unaddressed
  • Some pupils uncertain about how bullying and derogatory language issues are resolved, reducing confidence in school approaches
  • School needs to strengthen relationships with parents and carers, as some remain dissatisfied with aspects of provision

Safeguarding

Safeguarding arrangements are effective and the school has created an open culture that puts pupils' interests first.

Extracurricular Activities

Debating society, role playing games, culture club, drama productions at local theatres, Honours badges programme

Outwood Academy Freeston is a secondary school with high ambitions where pupils achieve well in examinations and take pride in their work. The school has improved from its previous 'Requires Improvement' rating and now demonstrates good quality education, behaviour, personal development, and leadership.

At a Glance

31.2%

Free School Meals

No

Boarding

No

Nursery

No

Sixth Form

No

Special Measures

What Parents Think

134 responses
Would recommend54%
Child is happy60%
Well taught68%
Good progress69%
Feels safe63%
Well behaved49%
Bullying dealt with13%
Kept informed60%
Handles concerns43%
Wider development57%

Source: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree

Class Sizes

23.8

Avg class size

40

Total classes

5 classes with more than 30 pupils

2024/25 academic year

Getting There

Bus Stops

Favell Avenue Snydale Rd
151m · 2 min walk
Favell Avenue Neville St
160m · 3 min walk
Dalefield Road Normanton View
303m · 5 min walk
Fairway Fairway Drive (stop)
313m · 5 min walk
Snydale Rd Kingston Drive (opp)
314m · 5 min walk
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Capacity & Demand

School Occupancy

95%

Near capacity

993 pupils

1,050 capacity

57 spare places available

Area Demand Pressure - Normanton

High pressure
New homes approved:374
Projected new pupils:67

Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Normanton

Admissions Demand - Wakefield

Low demand0.93x oversubscription

Places available

4,320

Applications

3,997

Got 1st preference

91.0%

Got preferred school

96.9%

Secondary admissions across Wakefield (2025/26)

Inspection History(3)

20 May 2025
Quality of EducationGood
Behaviour & AttitudesGood
Personal DevelopmentGood
Leadership & ManagementGood
12 October 2022
Requires ImprovementReport
Quality of EducationGood
Behaviour & AttitudesRequires Improvement
Personal DevelopmentRequires Improvement
Leadership & ManagementGood
1 November 2016
Requires Improvement
Leadership & ManagementRequires Improvement

House Prices

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SEN Provision

How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.

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Pupil Demographics

The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.

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Teachers & Staff

Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.

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School Funding

Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.

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Pupil Absence
2024/25

10.69198%

Overall absence

31.31021%

Persistent absence

1,038

Enrolments

Authorised7.20882%
Unauthorised3.48316%
Persistent (10%+)31.31021%
Severe (50%+)7.03276%

Absence trend

8.98945%
18/19
7.56935%
20/21
11.2543%
21/22
11.22775%
22/23
11.33213%
23/24
10.69198%
24/25
Overall absence rate

Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.

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