Minsthorpe Community College
Minsthorpe Lane, South Elmsall, Pontefract, WF9 2UJOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Minsthorpe Community College is a secondary school in Pontefract for ages 11 to 18. It is one of the 155 schools in Wakefield. It ranks 16th of 18 secondary schools in Wakefield. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in March 2014.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 4 March 2014, report published 1 April 2014
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 7 November 2023
Leaders have high expectations of all pupils at Minsthorpe Community College. Pupils engage positively with the education they receive and achieve well. There is a focused, purposeful atmosphere around the school, which is underpinned by the school's vision of motivation, commitment and care. Relationships between pupils and staff are warm and respectful. Pupils are confident, well-mannered and eager to share their opinions. They work hard in lessons and are keen to succeed. Most pupils enjoy school. However, there are some who do not attend regularly enough. Teachers and pupils are clear about expectations and procedures through the 'Minsthorpe way'. Pupils know the standards of behaviour expected of them. They also know the consequences of not meeting those standards. As a result, the school is calm and orderly. Staff address any misbehaviour, including low-level disruption to learning, appropriately. Pupils behave well. Most pupils take part in the variety of extra-curricular activities on offer both before and after school. These include boxing, pop band, mindfulness, Educake (home learning support) and tabletop gaming club. Pupils enjoy a variety of trips, visits and experiences, including a residential trip in Year 7, water sports and a visit to New York.
What the school should improve
- Some curriculum subjects do not currently match the quality of the strongest subject areas. The school has not identified the knowledge pupils need to learn and when. This limits the development of pupils' subject knowledge. Leaders should further develop the curriculum so that it is equally strong in all subject areas.
- Too many pupils are frequently absent. This limits their learning and impacts on their academic progress. The school should strengthen its attendance systems and attendance strategy to promote regular pupil attendance. The school should provide challenge and support to parents to help them to overcome any barriers that may prevent their child from attending school regularly.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
250 pupils in the year group
A level results (key stage 5), 2024/25
29 students
Average A level grade D+, England average B-
Pupil numbers and mix
1,609 pupils on roll, with places for 1,755
Schools near Minsthorpe Community College
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outwood Academy Hemsworth | 3 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | Attainment 8: 41.0 |
| Ackworth School | 4 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 33.9 |
| Campsmount Academy | 5 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 41.5 |
| Outwood Academy Shafton | 5 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | Attainment 8: 42.0 |
| Outwood Academy Adwick | 5 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 43.7 |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- MINSTHORPE ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr Mark Gilmore
- Phone
- 01977657600
- Address
- Minsthorpe Lane, South Elmsall, Pontefract, WF9 2UJ
- Local authority
- Wakefield
- URN
- 137011
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.