Best secondary schools in Wakefield (2026)
Wakefield has 5 ranked secondary schools with published results. The top-ranked is Outwood Grange Academy, in the top 31% in England. The average Attainment 8 here in 2025 was 45.6, against 46.1 for England. 0 are in England's top 10%, and 1 are rated Outstanding by Ofsted. Wakefield has no grammar schools.
| Rank | School | Attainment 8 (2023–2025 average) | Attainment 8 2025 | Trend | Grade 5+ Eng & maths | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Top 31% in England |
Outwood Grange Academy Wakefield |
48.7 | 47.2 | 53% | Good | |
2 Top 37% in England |
Kettlethorpe High School Wakefield |
47.8 | 46.9 | 47% | No rating | |
3 Top 38% in England |
Trinity Academy Cathedral Wakefield · Church of England |
48.7 | 48.7 | 49% | Outstanding | |
4 Bottom 50% in England |
St Thomas à Becket Catholic Secondary School, A Voluntary Academy Wakefield · Roman Catholic |
45.6 | 46.3 | 45% | Good | |
5 Bottom 21% in England |
Outwood Academy City Fields Wakefield |
40.1 | 38.8 | 29% | Good |
Other towns in West Yorkshire
Also see
Questions
What is the best secondary school in Wakefield?
On exam results over the last three years, Outwood Grange Academy is the top-ranked secondary school in Wakefield, in the top 31% of schools in England.
How are the schools ranked?
By published Department for Education exam results averaged over three years: for secondary schools, Attainment 8 plus a quarter of the share getting grade 5+ in English and maths; for primary schools, the share reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths plus half the share reaching the higher standard. The order uses the three-year average, so a school can rank above one with a higher single-year result. Schools with fewer than 10 pupils taking the tests are not ranked. Exam results are only part of the picture: visit, read the Ofsted report and check admissions rules, as living nearby does not guarantee a place.