South Elmsall Carlton Junior and Infant School, Pontefract

In its own words: "Carlton Junior and Infant School is a large primary school at the heart of the South Elmsall community in the Wakefield district, educating around 450 pupils. We are a two‑form‑entry school, welcoming children from nursery through to Year 6. Most of our pupils come from the local catchment area, which reflects a wide mix of social and economic backgrounds."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). At Carlton Junior & Infants School we recognise the importance of early years education as the foundation of every child's learning journey. Our aim is to provide a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment where children feel happy, confident and ready to learn."

The school runs after-school care.

In 2025, 71% of Year 6 pupils at South Elmsall Carlton Junior and Infant School reached the expected standard in reading and 53% 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 (68% in reading, 52% in maths).

For September 2026 entry, 64 families put South Elmsall Carlton Junior and Infant School as their first choice and 113 named it as one of their preferences, for 60 places offered. That is 1.1 first choices for every place. 4 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to South Elmsall Carlton Junior and Infant School are St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Moorthorpe (0.4 miles, Good, 59% reading, 83% maths); Moorthorpe Primary School With Inclusion Resource (0.4 miles, Good, 60% reading, 58% maths); Ash Grove Primary Academy (0.5 miles, Good, 57% reading, 61% maths); and Ark Northfield Primary School (1.1 miles, 88% reading, 83% maths).

South Elmsall Carlton Junior and Infant School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 4 schools.

8.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 68 pupils (15%) received SEN support and 12 (2.6%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.

The nearest railway station is South Elmsall Rail Station, about 500 metres away (roughly a 6-minute walk).

13 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Carlton School, 70 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood South Elmsall Carlton Junior and Infant School stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. On income deprivation affecting children it is in the 3rd decile, where the 1st is the most deprived. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In 2024/25, South Elmsall Carlton Junior and Infant School issued 3 suspensions, 0.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.