Most sought-after schools in Wakefield

Ordered by how many families put the school first, for each place it gave out.

This list is sorted by one number: first preferences per place. For each school it is the number of families who named it first, divided by the number of offers it made, in the newest year we hold. A higher number means more families wanted a place than there were places.

This is not a list of the best schools. It does not measure how good a school is, how happy the children are, or how well they do. It also does not tell you whether a child would get a place: that depends on where you live, the year, and the council's rules. It only shows how many people applied.

#	School	First preferences per place	Newest intake	Latest Ofsted
1	Jerry Clay Academy Wakefield, primary	2.15	2026	School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
2	Ackton Pastures Primary Academy Castleford, primary	1.70	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
3	Trinity Academy Cathedral Wakefield, secondary	1.59	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
4	West Bretton Junior and Infant School Wakefield, primary	1.50	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
5	Sandal Magna Community Academy Wakefield, primary	1.47	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
6	St Thomas à Becket Catholic Secondary School, A Voluntary Academy Wakefield, secondary	1.47	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
7	Stanley Grove Primary and Nursery Academy Wakefield, primary	1.33	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
8	Crigglestone Dane Royd Junior and Infant School Wakefield, primary	1.30	2026	School remains Outstanding (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
9	Outwood Primary Academy Greenhill Wakefield, primary	1.28	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
10	Grove Lea Primary School Pontefract, primary	1.27	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
11	Carleton High School Pontefract, secondary	1.26	2026	Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
12	Orchard Head Junior and Infant and Nursery School Pontefract, primary	1.22	2026	Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
13	Darrington Church of England Primary School Pontefract, primary	1.20	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
14	Horbury Academy Wakefield, secondary	1.18	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
15	Carleton Park Junior and Infant School Pontefract, primary	1.13	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
16	Normanton Common Primary Academy Normanton, primary	1.11	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
17	Featherstone All Saints CofE Academy Pontefract, primary	1.10	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
18	Horbury Primary Academy Wakefield, primary	1.10	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
19	Wakefield St Marys Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Wakefield, primary	1.10	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
20	Outwood Primary Academy Kirkhamgate Wakefield, primary	1.07	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
21	Shay Lane Primary (J and I) School Wakefield, primary	1.07	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
22	South Elmsall Carlton Junior and Infant School Pontefract, primary	1.07	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
23	Castleford Academy Castleford, secondary	1.04	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
24	Wakefield Pinders Primary (JIN) School Wakefield, primary	1.04	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
25	Fitzwilliam Primary School Pontefract, primary	1.03	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
26	Northfield Primary School Pontefract, primary	1.02	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
27	Smawthorne Henry Moore Academy Castleford, primary	1.02	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
28	Badsworth Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior and Infant School Pontefract, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
29	Crofton Academy Wakefield, secondary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
30	De Lacy Primary School Pontefract, primary	1.00	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
31	Dimple Well Infant School and Nursery Ossett, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
32	England Lane Academy Knottingley, primary	1.00	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
33	Gawthorpe Community Academy Ossett, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
34	Larks Hill Junior and Infant School Pontefract, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
35	Martin Frobisher Infant School Normanton, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
36	Ossett Flushdyke Junior and Infant School Ossett, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
37	Outwood Primary Academy Bell Lane Pontefract, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
38	Outwood Primary Academy Newstead Green Wakefield, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
39	Oyster Park Primary Academy Castleford, primary	1.00	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
40	Sharlston Community School Wakefield, primary	1.00	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
41	Simpson's Lane Academy Knottingley, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
42	South Ossett Infant Academy Ossett, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
43	St Botolphs CE Academy Knottingley, primary	1.00	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
44	St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Pontefract Pontefract, primary	1.00	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
45	St. John the Baptist Catholic Primary School Normanton, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
46	Streethouse Junior, Infant and Nursery School Pontefract, primary	1.00	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
47	Towngate Primary Academy Ossett, primary	1.00	2026	Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
48	Townville Academy Castleford, primary	1.00	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
49	Upton Primary School Pontefract, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
50	Wakefield St Johns Church of England Voluntary Aided Junior and Infant School Wakefield, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
51	Walton Primary Academy Wakefield, primary	1.00	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
52	Crofton Infant School Wakefield, primary	0.98	2026	School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
53	Fairburn View Primary School, Castleford Castleford, primary	0.98	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
54	Featherstone Purston Infant School Pontefract, primary	0.98	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
55	Ossett Holy Trinity CofE VA Primary School Ossett, primary	0.98	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
56	Ossett South Parade Primary Wakefield, primary	0.98	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
57	South Kirkby Common Road Infant and Nursery School Pontefract, primary	0.98	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
58	St Giles C of E Academy Pontefract, primary	0.98	2026	Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
59	St Michael's CofE Academy Wakefield, primary	0.98	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
60	The Featherstone Academy Pontefract, secondary	0.98	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
61	Wakefield Flanshaw Junior and Infant School Wakefield, primary	0.98	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
62	Wakefield Lawefield Primary School Wakefield, primary	0.98	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
63	Wakefield Snapethorpe Primary School Wakefield, primary	0.98	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
64	Ackworth Howard Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior and Infant School Pontefract, primary	0.97	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
65	Airedale Infant Academy Castleford, primary	0.97	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
66	Alverthorpe St Paul's CofE (VA) School 3-11yrs Wakefield, primary	0.97	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
67	Outwood Academy Freeston Normanton, secondary	0.97	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
68	St Wilfrid's Catholic High School & Sixth Form College: A Voluntary Academy Pontefract, secondary	0.97	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
69	Ackworth Mill Dam School Pontefract, primary	0.96	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
70	Ash Grove Primary Academy PONTEFRACT, primary	0.96	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
71	Cherry Tree Academy Pontefract, primary	0.96	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
72	Crigglestone Mackie Hill Junior and Infant School Wakefield, primary	0.96	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
73	De Lacy Academy Knottingley, secondary	0.96	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
74	English Martyrs Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary Academy Wakefield, primary	0.96	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
75	Featherstone Girnhill Infant School Pontefract, primary	0.96	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
76	Minsthorpe Community College Pontefract, secondary	0.96	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
77	Normanton All Saints CofE Infant School Normanton, primary	0.96	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
78	Ryhill Junior, Infant and Nursery School Wakefield, primary	0.96	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
79	Sitlington Netherton Junior and Infant School Wakefield, primary	0.96	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
80	St Helen's CE Primary School Pontefract, primary	0.96	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
81	St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Castleford Castleford, primary	0.96	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
82	St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Moorthorpe Pontefract, primary	0.96	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
83	The Vale Primary Academy Knottingley, primary	0.96	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
84	Featherstone North Featherstone Junior and Infant School Pontefract, primary	0.95	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
85	Glasshoughton Infant Academy Castleford, primary	0.95	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
86	Holy Family and St Michael's Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary Academy Pontefract, primary	0.95	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
87	Outwood Primary Academy Lofthouse Gate Wakefield, primary	0.95	2026	Outstanding (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
88	Rooks Nest Academy Wakefield, primary	0.95	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
89	West End Academy Pontefract, primary	0.95	2026	Improved significantly (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
90	The Rookeries Carleton Junior and Infant School Pontefract, primary	0.94	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
91	Airedale Academy Castleford, secondary	0.93	2026	Requires improvement (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
92	Lee Brigg Infant and Nursery School Normanton, primary	0.93	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
93	Newlands Primary School Normanton, primary	0.93	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
94	Willow Green Academy Knottingley, primary	0.93	2026	School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
95	Horbury St Peter's and Clifton CofE (VC) Primary School Wakefield, primary	0.92	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
96	Outwood Primary Academy Ledger Lane Wakefield, primary	0.92	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
97	The Mount Junior Infant & Nursery School Wakefield, primary	0.92	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
98	Castleford Wheldon Infant School and Nursery Castleford, primary	0.91	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
99	King's Meadow Academy Pontefract, primary	0.91	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
100	The King's School Pontefract, secondary	0.91	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
101	Outwood Academy Hemsworth Pontefract, secondary	0.90	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
102	Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Pontefract, primary	0.90	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
103	St Austin's Catholic Primary School Wakefield, primary	0.90	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
104	Crigglestone St James CofE Primary Academy Wakefield, primary	0.89	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
105	Hendal Primary School Wakefield, primary	0.89	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
106	South Hiendley Primary School Barnsley, primary	0.89	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
107	Halfpenny Lane Junior Infant and Nursery School Pontefract, primary	0.88	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
108	Middlestown Primary Academy Wakefield, primary	0.88	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
109	Horbury Bridge Church of England Junior and Infant Academy Wakefield, primary	0.87	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
110	Methodist Voluntary Controlled Junior, Infant and Nursery School: With Communication Resource Wakefield, primary	0.86	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
111	Newton Hill Community School Wakefield, primary	0.86	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
112	Moorthorpe Primary School With Inclusion Resource Pontefract, primary	0.85	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
113	Outwood Primary Academy Park Hill Wakefield, primary	0.85	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
114	Half Acres Primary Academy Castleford, primary	0.82	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
115	Outwood Grange Academy Wakefield, secondary	0.82	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
116	Stanley St Peters Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Wakefield, primary	0.82	2026	Strong standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
117	Ossett Academy and Sixth Form College Ossett, secondary	0.81	2026	Expected standard (Ofsted report card (current framework))
118	Sandal Castle VA Community Primary School Wakefield, primary	0.81	2026	Not judged (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
119	Kettlethorpe High School Wakefield, secondary	0.78	2026	School remains Good (Ofsted ungraded inspection)
120	Outwood Academy City Fields Wakefield, secondary	0.77	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
121	Castleford Three Lane Ends Academy Castleford, primary	0.76	2026	Good (Ofsted graded inspection (previous framework))
122	Wrenthorpe Academy Wakefield, primary	0.71	2026	Standards maintained (Ofsted ungraded inspection)

Figures from the Department for Education, applications and offers. 122 schools in Wakefield have a published per-place figure. Schools with too few places for the figure to mean anything are left off. All schools in Wakefield · How we compare schools.