The short version
Average GCSE results. 87% capacity. Rated Good by Ofsted (2017).
- GCSE results are broadly in line with the national average (Attainment 8: 41.6 vs national 43.8)
- Rated Good by Ofsted in 2017
- This school does not have a sixth form
Performance
DfE published dataOfficial DfE Results
Attainment 8
Average points across 8 GCSE subjects
41.6
2.2 vs nationalEnglish & maths (grade 5+)
Strong pass in both core subjects
36%
6.2pp vs nationalEBacc entry
Academic subjects including a language
81%
Source: Department for Education Performance Tables 2024-25
Post-GCSE Destinations
These figures track pupils 6 months after leaving. Source: DfE destination measures.
Sustained destination
In education, employment or training
93%
Continuing education
Sixth form, FE college, or school
86%
Apprenticeships
Work combined with training
3%
Employment
Directly into work
3%
Not sustained
Not in education, employment or training
6%
Based on 88 leavers
Source: DfE Destination Measures 2024/25
Attendance
In practice: Pupils miss about 18 days per year on average — nearly a month of school.
23% of pupils miss 10% or more of school
8% of pupils miss half or more of school sessions
Source: DfE School Census
Staffing
On average, 16 pupils share each qualified teacher, but with teaching assistants there's 1 adult for every 10 pupils.
Staff breakdown
Plus 53 other support staff
Source: DfE School Workforce Census
School details
Published dataProfile
- Type
- Academy sponsor led
- Phase
- Secondary
- Ages
- 11–16
- Intake
- Mixed
Numbers
- Pupils
- 524
- Capacity
- 87%
- FSM
- 40.3%
- Admissions
- Non-selective
Governance
- Local authority
- Wakefield
- Trust
- RESILIENCE MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
- Head
- Ms Diana Townshend (Executive Head Teacher)
Provisions
Inspection record
Official linksSchool inspection
6 official reports linked on this page, including 5 earlier reports.
Previous reports
Location
Pontefract Road, Featherstone, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF7 5AJ
Town setting
Schools nearby
Within 2.5 kmFeatherstone Technology College: With Physical Disability Resource
Secondary · Very close
Featherstone Purston Infant School
Primary · 941m away
Featherstone Purston St Thomas Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior School
Primary · 1.1km away
Featherstone North Featherstone Junior and Infant School
Primary · 1.2km away
Featherstone Girnhill Infant School
Primary · 1.4km away
Larks Hill Junior and Infant School
Primary · 1.6km away
Halfpenny Lane Junior Infant and Nursery School
Primary · 1.9km away
Carleton Park Junior and Infant School
Primary · 2.2km away
Questions parents ask
Is The Featherstone Academy a selective school?
No. The Featherstone Academy is non-selective, so admission does not depend on an entrance exam.
What is The Featherstone Academy's Ofsted rating?
The Featherstone Academy was rated Good at its most recent inspection in March 2022. Full reports are linked on this page.
How many pupils attend The Featherstone Academy?
The Featherstone Academy currently has 524 pupils on roll, according to the latest Department for Education data.
What ages does The Featherstone Academy take?
The Featherstone Academy caters for pupils aged 11 to 16. It is classified as a secondary school.
Where is The Featherstone Academy?
The Featherstone Academy is in Pontefract, WF7 5AJ, in the Wakefield local authority area. The map on this page shows the exact location and nearby schools.
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