Airedale Infant Academy
Poplar Avenue, Airedale, Airedale Junior School, Castleford, WF10 3QJOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Airedale Infant Academy is a primary school in Castleford for ages 3 to 7. It is one of the 155 schools in Wakefield. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2019.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 5 November 2019, report published 3 December 2019
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 3 June 2025
Pupils know staff care about them and want them to achieve highly. Pupils behave well. They are familiar with routines and expectations. Pupils respond quickly to the instructions of adults. Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) make good progress throughout the curriculum. Teachers adapt learning so that all pupils can learn together. Most pupils are ready for the next stage of education when they join the junior school in the same building. The school ensures that pupils become active members of the community they live in. They explore the local area in geography lessons. Pupils make signs for bins and litter- pick to improve the area they live in. School staff have positive relationships with families. Parents and carers appreciate the support offered to them by the school. Pupils enjoy a range of after-school clubs. The school offers clubs based on pupils' interests. Cooking, gardening, sports, dance and sewing clubs are on offer. Pupils have visited a wildlife park and a science museum. They remember what they learned during these trips. Pupils are safe in school. They have positive relationships with staff and know that adults in school will help them.
What the school should improve
- The school has not always ensured that all pupils attend well. There are gaps in attendance for some groups of pupils. This means that some pupils miss out on vital parts of learning. The school should ensure that the work to address pupils' absence leads to consistently improved attendance for all pupils.
- The school has not enabled some pupils to achieve as highly in their writing and transcription skills as they should. Over time, pupils have not had enough opportunities to develop their writing skills. The school should continue to implement and evaluate the recent changes to the writing curriculum to ensure that they are having the required impact.
Pupil numbers and mix
206 pupils on roll, with places for 180
Schools near Airedale Infant Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Townville Academy | 0.1 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | Not published |
| Airedale Junior Academy | 0.1 miles | Ofsted: Good | 62% met the expected standard |
| Fairburn View Primary School, Castleford | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 30% met the expected standard |
| Oyster Park Primary Academy | 0.6 miles | Report card: Needs attention to strong standard | 43% met the expected standard |
| Glasshoughton Infant Academy | 0.9 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- CASTLEFORD ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 3 to 7
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Kirsten Mckechnie
- Phone
- 01977519281
- Address
- Poplar Avenue, Airedale, Airedale Junior School, Castleford, WF10 3QJ
- Local authority
- Wakefield
- URN
- 141522
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.