South Kirkby Academy

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 7 to 11
Ofsted: Good

Stockingate, South Kirkby, Pontefract, WF9 3DPOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

South Kirkby Academy is a primary school in Pontefract for ages 7 to 11. It is one of the 155 schools in Wakefield. It ranks 29th of 33 primary schools in Pontefract. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in April 2023.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 25 April 2023, report published 2 July 2023

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 25 April 2023

Leaders are determined that pupils gain the knowledge and experiences they need to succeed at school. They have high expectations of pupils. Pupils achieve well. Staff know pupils and their families well. They look after pupils and ensure that they feel safe. This includes how to stay safe when using technology. Pupils know how to keep themselves safe while online. Pupils behave well in school. Staff support them to make the right choices. Pupils say that there are trusted adults they can talk to if they have a problem. They value the positive relationships they have with adults in the school. Pupils say that bullying does happen, but that adults in school always sort it out. Pupils attend a wide range of clubs and activities. These enable pupils to develop their talents and interests. Pupils participate in 'Waterton's Got Talent', 'Waterton Chef of the Year' and a variety of sporting competitions, including The Waterton Trust games. Pupils value opportunities to take on roles of responsibility. These include reading ambassadors and eco-warriors. Leaders make sure that everyone is valued. They ensure that pupils' achievements are recognised and celebrated.

What the school should improve

  • Some pupils do not attend school regularly and often. They miss important learning. Leaders should continue their work with parents and carers to overcome any barriers to attendance to ensure their children attend school regularly.
  • Some pupils miss lessons to access learning interventions. This means that some pupils develop gaps in their learning. Learning interventions should be organised to ensure that significant gaps in pupils' knowledge in other subjects do not develop.
  • In some subjects, leaders have not clearly identified the important knowledge that pupils will learn. Where the curriculum is less clear, pupils do not develop their knowledge securely. Leaders should ensure that important knowledge is clearly identified across all subjects.

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

60 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths32%

32%, 30 percentage points below the England average of 62%.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths0%

0%, 8 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score99

99, 7 below the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score98

98, 7 below the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score98

98, 7 below the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

186 pupils on roll, with places for 256

Eligible for free school meals50%

50%, 23.5 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language5.9%

5.9%, 15.7 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support11.8%

11.8%, 3 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan2.7%

2.7%, 3.3 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near South Kirkby Academy

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
South Kirkby Common Road Infant and Nursery School0.1 milesReport card: Expected standard to strong standardNot published
Northfield Primary School0.7 milesOfsted: Requires improvement83% met the expected standard
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Moorthorpe1 mileOfsted: Good55% met the expected standard
Moorthorpe Primary School With Inclusion Resource1 mileOfsted: Good35% met the expected standard
South Elmsall Carlton Junior and Infant School2 milesOfsted: Good51% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
WATERTON ACADEMY TRUST
Age range
7 to 11
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mr Adam Potter
Address
Stockingate, South Kirkby, Pontefract, WF9 3DP
Local authority
Wakefield
URN
143381

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.