Walton Primary Academy, Wakefield

Ofsted's report card from its 22 September 2026 inspection grades Walton Primary Academy on 7 areas: 7 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, generally achieve well in national tests and are prepared for their next stage of education."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Pupils enjoy school."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have revised the curriculum to ensure that it builds pupils' knowledge progressively from the early years."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders understand the importance of the early years."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders actively promote an inclusive culture."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Since the last inspection, there have been significant changes in leadership of the school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have deliberately aligned the school's personal, social and health education curriculum with the school's context."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that teaching is consistently high-quality so that pupils learn and retain curriculum information well"; "Leaders should ensure that teaching in mathematics supports pupils to achieve their best".

In its own words: "At Walton Primary Academy, we believe that every child deserves to feel safe, valued and inspired to achieve their very best. We are committed to nurturing children who are courageous in the face of challenge, curious about the world around them, truthful in their actions and kind in their relationships."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Walton is a school with a rich history and a strong sense of identity. As the very first school to join Waterton Academy Trust, we are proud of the role we continue to play at the heart of our local community."

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.

Coming up: an open day on Tuesday 3 November 2026 at 10.15am. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2025, 83% of Year 6 pupils at Walton Primary Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 81% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 75% in Wakefield and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 71% in reading and 78% in maths in 2024.

For September 2026 entry, 45 families put Walton Primary Academy as their first choice and 121 named it as one of their preferences, for 45 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. 3 families who put it first were not offered a place there.

The nearest other state primary schools to Walton Primary Academy are Sandal Castle VA Community Primary School (1.1 miles, Good, 55% reading, 61% maths); Shay Lane Primary (J and I) School (1.4 miles, Good, 69% reading, 69% maths); Sandal Magna Community Academy (1.5 miles, Good, 67% reading, 87% maths); and Crofton Infant School (1.5 miles, Good).

Walton Primary Academy's 2025 results were higher than all 3 of them.

Walton Primary 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.

8.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 2.4% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (91%) and Mixed (5%).

In 2026, 29 pupils (8.6%) received SEN support and 17 (5.1%) 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 speech, language and communication needs.

The nearest railway station is Sandal & Agbrigg Rail Station, about 1.3 miles away in a straight line.

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Walton School (opposite), 90 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 14 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Wakefield (130).

In 2024/25, Walton Primary Academy issued 42 suspensions, 12 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Walton Primary Academy are St Thomas à Becket Catholic Secondary School, A Voluntary Academy (1.2 miles); Kettlethorpe High School (1.4 miles); and Crofton Academy (1.5 miles).