If you contact your local school directly they will be able to tell you if you are within their catchment area, they will also be able to give you details of any open days or their policy for visiting the school.
You may also want to read the schoolâs most recent OFSTED report to help you make your decision. Here
You may visit and or apply for a place at any school, however the admissions policy will outline who has priority (children with a statement of educational special needs, those with siblings in the school and those within the catchment etc) See your chosen schools website for full details.
The councils website showing catchment areas can be found here
There is no guarantee of getting a place in your preferred (or even second or third choice school) and the information about the appeals procedure can be found here.
Note – The 2021/22 school calendar has been amended to reflect the Governmentâs decision to change the Spring Bank Holiday from Monday, 30 May 2022 to Thursday, 2 June 2022. There has also been the addition of Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday on Friday, 3 June 2022.
For things to do in the school holidays – click here
Parents of children currently in Year 6 can apply for a Secondary School place to start in September 2021.
The deadline for applying is 31st October 2020 and you can do so online HERE
You can apply for up to 5 different schools into the Wakefield area, putting the schools in order of preference.
The following virtual open sessions have been released so far by secondary schools in Wakefield.
State Schools
School | Date | Time |
Airedale Academy | No details available yet | |
Carleton High School | Thursday 15th October 2020 | From 6.30pm |
Castleford Academy | Check website as a Virtual Open Evening video will be uploaded on a dedicated page | |
Cathedral Academy | Visit website for Virtual Open Evening video on a dedicated page | |
Crofton Academy | Check website as a Virtual Open Evening video will be uploaded on a dedicated page | |
De Lacy Academy | Tuesday 29th September 2020 | Live from 5pm (need to pre-register) |
The Featherstone Academy | Check website for details of virtual event | |
Horbury Academy | No details released yet | |
Kettlethorpe High School | Online during October 2020, check website fro details | |
The Kingâs School | Thursday 13th October 2020 | From 6.30pm |
Minsthorpe Community College | No details available yet | |
Ossett Academy | No details available yet | |
Outwood Academy City Fields | Â No details available yet | |
Outwood Academy Freeston | Visit website for Virtual Open Evening video on a dedicated page | |
Outwood Academy Hemsworth | Visit website for Virtual Open Evening video on a dedicated page | |
Outwood Grange Academy | Visit website for Virtual Open Evening video on a dedicated page | |
St Thomas a Beckett Catholic School | Tuesday 29th September 2020 | Check website for more details |
St Wilfredâs Catholic High School | Saturday 3rd October 2020 | From 10am, check website for more details |
Independent SchoolsÂ
School | Date | Time |
Ackworth School | 3rd October 2020 | See website as pre-registration required |
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School | 13th & 14th October 2020 | Virtual: 4-7pm |
Silcoates School | Call school to make an appointment | |
Wakefield Girlsâ High School | 13th & 14th October 2020 | Virtual 4-7pm |
Don’t worry we have put together a step by step process on what to do!
If your child was born between 1st September 2017 and 31st August 2018, you can apply for a full-time school place to start school in September 2022. You will receive a letter from Wakefield Council in Autumn 2021.
If you want to know about the potential number of children applying for each school, a really good document is the âSchool Organisation Planâ produced by Wakefield Council.
I came across this when my son was 18 months old and went into a bit of a panic as I realised Mini Mumblerâs intake year was oversubscribed!! There was a note to say they were aware of this and were looking at actions to increase the number of places. Luckily, by the time the next school year came around they had a planning application in for an additional classroom!
Visiting Schools
I would highly recommend getting in contact with a few schools that you think you will put on the application form. As there are currently restrictions with outside visitors coming into schools I recommend you getting in contact with them to arrange the best way to find out about the school. We have listed the contact details all schools in Wakefield District here.
Write a list of questions to ask on your visit; is there wrap around care, are the meals cooked on the premises, what outdoor learning activities do the children take part in, are there music lessons were some of the questions we asked. And if you forgot to ask a question, do ring them back up!
Applications
You can apply in two ways; online and or by the paper application that you should have received through the post
Wakefield Council advise to apply online (here’s a quick link for you!)
Applying online
Remember only putting one school preference does not guarantee your child getting into that school. If they are oversubscribed and you havenât put a 2nd or 3rd preference, then the local authority will decide the school.
Results
Results will be online at 00:30am Tuesday 19th April 2022. The link to login is available here. I couldn’t remember my password and have just done the automated ‘forgotten password’! It only took a couple of minutes to come through to my email
Appeal Process
If your school preference place is not confirmed you have the right to appeal. Your appeal should be received by end May 2022 (TBC). You can find the appeal form here and appeal hearings commence from June 2022 onwards. There are further appeal documents on Wakefield Council website available here
Keep up to date with Wakefield Mumber
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‘Success is a shared experience’
Academy: Waterton Academy Trust
Ofsted: GOOD March 2012
Nursery 3-4 year olds
Call: 01924 864 711
‘Enrichment beyond the classroom’
A Wakefield Local Authority Maintained School
Ofsted: GOOD June 2013
Extended School provision 7:30am – 6pm
Nursery 3-4 year olds
Call:Â 01924 303 500
âPride through learning-Challenging our community to succeedâ
Ofsted: GOOD July 2015
Nursery 3-4 year olds
Call: 01924 303 645
âWe aim to foster in our children values and attitudes which will serve them well throughout their whole livesâ
Ofsted: GOOD November 2012
Extended School provision 7am â 5:30pm
Nursery 3-4 year olds
Call: 01924 259 465
Ofsted: GOOD May 2013
Extended School provision 7:30am â 6pm
Nursery
Call: 01924 302810
‘We are proud of our thoughtful, well-rounded children and committed to a holistic approach to learning’
Ofsted: GOOD May 2014
Call: 01924 303 670
âLearning for you, learning for lifeâ
Ofsted: GOOD January 2013
Nursery 3-year olds
Call: 01924 303 520
Ofsted: GOOD March 2015
Extended School provision 7:30am â 6pm
Nursery 3-4 year olds
Call: 01924 302 820
âEnjoy, Achieve and Aspireâ
Ofsted: REQUIRES IMPROVEMENT January 2015
Call: 01924 274 873
âThe heart and future of the communityâ
Ofsted: REQUIRES IMPROVEMENT March 2015
Call: 01924 303 530
âWorking together, achieving moreâ
Ofsted: OUTSTANDING March 2013
Call: 01924 367 396
âOur children are encouraged to explore, discover and question through a range of exciting learning opportunities both within and outside the classroom.â
Ofsted: GOOD September 2013
Nursery 3-4 year olds
Call: 01924 302 875
âEthic of Excellenceâ
Ofsted: GOOD July 2013
Nursery 3-4 year olds
Call: 01924 303630
âThey come this way only once so we should pave their pathways with quality experiences. Let everyone who journeys with us be happier and more fulfilled for having shared time with us.â
Ofsted: GOOD November 2011
Call: 01924 830 204