Airedale Academy

Secondary
Academy
Ages 11 to 18

Ofsted: Requires improvement

Crewe Road, Airedale, Castleford, WF10 3JUOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Airedale Academy is a secondary school in Castleford for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 155 schools in Wakefield. It ranks 18th of 18 secondary schools in Wakefield. Its latest Ofsted rating is Requires improvement, from an inspection in January 2024.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 30 January 2024, report published 19 March 2024

Overall effectiveness: Requires improvement
Quality of education: Requires improvement
Behaviour and attitudes: Requires improvement
Personal development: Requires improvement
Leadership and management: Requires improvement
Sixth form provision: Requires improvement
Safeguarding: Met

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

195 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score33.8

33.8, 12.3 below the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths25.1%

25.1%, 20.3 percentage points below the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths43.6%

43.6%, 21.2 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc4.6%

4.6%, 35.9 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score2.81

2.81, 1.28 below the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

1,008 pupils on roll, with places for 1,250

Eligible for free school meals51.8%

51.8%, 25.3 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language7.6%

7.6%, 14 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support21.8%

21.8%, 7 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4.7%

4.7%, 1.3 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Airedale Academy

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
Castleford Academy	1 mile	Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding	Attainment 8: 48.5
New College Pontefract	2 miles	No Ofsted inspection	Not published
The King's School	3 miles	Ofsted: Good	Attainment 8: 49.9
St Wilfrid's Catholic High School & Sixth Form College: A Voluntary Academy	3 miles	Report card: Expected standard to strong standard	Attainment 8: 46.7
De Lacy Academy	3 miles	Ofsted: Outstanding	Attainment 8: 45.6

School details

School type: Academy converter
Sector: Academy
Trust: CASTLEFORD ACADEMY TRUST
Age range: 11 to 18
Gender: Mixed
Sixth form: Yes
Headteacher: Mr Andy Percival
Phone: 01977664555
Website: airedaleacademy.com (opens in a new tab)
Address: Crewe Road, Airedale, Castleford, WF10 3JU
Local authority: Wakefield
URN: 136613

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.