St Wilfrid’s Catholic High School & Sixth Form College Review 2026: A Pillar of Community and Character

Serving the communities of Featherstone, Pontefract, and the wider Wakefield district, St Wilfrid’s Catholic High School & Sixth Form College: A Voluntary Academy is a large and purposeful institution. With a capacity for 1,800 students, it functions as a significant educational hub in West Yorkshire. The school is part of the Bishop Konstant Catholic Academy Trust (BKCAT), a relationship that underpins its ethos and operational framework.

Current leadership is provided by Headteacher Dr Philip Dore, who has led the school since January 2021. Under his guidance, the school maintains a steady focus on combining its Catholic identity with a modern secondary education. The school's most recent Ofsted inspection, conducted in November 2021, confirmed its status as a Good school, highlighting a friendly environment where pupils are supported by caring staff focused on helping them succeed. Academic performance is solid, with results typically aligning with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile).

The atmosphere at St Wilfrid’s is defined by its Catholic character, which is described by leadership as the golden thread running through school life. This is not merely an administrative label; it is visible in the daily routines, the presence of the school chapel, and the emphasis on Gospel values such as compassion and respect. Morning registration often includes a moment of prayer or reflection, providing a structured and calm start to the day.

Physically, the school occupies a sprawling site in Featherstone. The architecture is a mix of functional mid-century blocks and more contemporary additions, including a dedicated sixth form centre that provides older students with a more independent environment. The school operates with a clear sense of order; students wear their uniforms with pride, and the corridors during lesson transitions are managed with efficient routine.

The relationship between staff and students is a noted strength. There is a palpable sense of community, where teachers are seen as approachable and students are encouraged to take responsibility for their conduct. This culture of mutual respect contributes to a learning environment where disruption is rare and the focus remains on progress.

In the secondary phase, St Wilfrid’s delivers consistent academic outcomes. The school ranks 1,407th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), and ranks 2nd among secondaries in Pontefract. The Attainment 8 score of 47.7 sits above the England average of 46.2, indicating that students across the ability range achieve well in a broad set of subjects.

The EBacc Average Point Score (APS) is 4.33, which also exceeds the England average of 4.08. While the Progress 8 score of -0.01 suggests that students make progress broadly in line with their starting points, the raw attainment figures remain competitive within the local authority.

At A-level, the college continues this trend of solid performance. It ranks 1,491st in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 2nd in Pontefract. In the most recent results, 41.2% of students achieved A* to B grades. While this is slightly below the England average of 47.2%, it represents a strong achievement for a comprehensive sixth form intake. Notably, 5.9% of entries achieved the top A* grade, reflecting the school's ability to support high-attaining students in reaching elite benchmarks.

The curriculum at St Wilfrid’s is designed to be inclusive yet challenging. In the lower years, students follow a broad programme that includes a strong emphasis on the core subjects of English, Mathematics, and Science, alongside Religious Education, which is a mandatory component of the timetable. The school uses a three-year Key Stage 3 to ensure students have a deep foundation before beginning their GCSE courses in Year 10.

Teaching is described as well-planned, with a focus on clear explanations and the use of assessment to identify gaps in understanding. In the sixth form, the atmosphere shifts toward a more seminar-style approach. Students can choose from a wide variety of A-level and vocational pathways, including BTECs in subjects such as Sport and Health and Social Care, catering to a diverse range of career aspirations.

Specialist facilities support the curriculum effectively. The science laboratories are well-equipped for practical work, and the creative arts departments benefit from dedicated studio spaces. The integration of technology in the classroom is also a priority, with many departments using digital platforms to manage assignments and provide feedback.

Where Students Go Next

For students at St Wilfrid’s, the transition from Year 11 to the sixth form is a common and encouraged pathway. The majority of students choose to remain within the familiar environment of the college to pursue their post-16 studies.

For the 2024 leavers' cohort, destinations show a diverse range of outcomes. Approximately 38% of students progressed to university, with many securing places at regional institutions such as the University of Leeds, Sheffield Hallam, and York St John. Higher-tier university progression is also evident, with 2 students securing Oxbridge offers in the most recent measurement period.

Beyond higher education, the school sees a significant number of students enter the workforce or apprenticeships. Approximately 29% of leavers entered employment, while 8% began apprenticeships, reflecting the school's success in preparing students for practical and professional routes alongside academic ones.

Securing a place at St Wilfrid’s requires navigating the specific criteria of a Catholic voluntary academy. As a state-funded school, there are no tuition fees, but the admissions policy gives clear priority to baptised Catholic children from designated feeder parishes.

In the most recent intake, the school was oversubscribed, receiving 590 applications for 270 places. This resulted in a subscription proportion of 2.19, indicating that for every place available, there were more than two applicants. While the school does admit children from other faiths or none when space allows, the high demand from Catholic families means that proximity and faith status are the primary factors in allocation.

Parents interested in Year 7 entry should note that a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) is usually required alongside the standard local authority application. This form allows the school to verify baptismal certificates and parish connections.

Pastoral care is a cornerstone of the St Wilfrid’s experience. The school uses a year-group system where each student is assigned a form tutor who acts as the primary point of contact for both academic and personal matters. This is overseen by a Head of Year and a dedicated pastoral support officer, ensuring that there is always a non-teaching member of staff available to deal with immediate concerns.

The school's Catholic ethos informs its approach to wellbeing, with an emphasis on the dignity of the human person. Safeguarding is described as effective, with clear procedures in place for identifying and supporting vulnerable students. The school also provides access to external counselling services and has a robust anti-bullying policy that is well-understood by the student body.

Support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is coordinated by the SENCO and a team of learning support assistants. Provision is tailored to individual needs, whether through in-class support or small-group interventions in the school's dedicated support hub.

Extracurricular life at St Wilfrid’s is varied and active. Sport is a major pillar of the school's identity, with particular strengths in rugby league and football, reflecting the local sporting culture of the Pontefract and Castleford area. The school teams frequently compete in regional and national competitions, and the on-site sports hall and playing fields are heavily utilised.

The performing arts also play a significant role. The school choir and various musical ensembles perform at liturgical events and annual concerts. The drama department stages regular productions, providing opportunities for students to engage in both performance and technical roles such as lighting and sound.

STEM: Innovation and Applied Learning

The STEM subjects are a point of focus, particularly in the sixth form. The school encourages participation in external challenges, such as the UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) individual and team challenges. Science clubs often focus on practical experiments that go beyond the constraints of the GCSE syllabus, such as rocket building or basic robotics. This focus on applied learning helps to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application, supporting the school's apprenticeship pathways.

St Wilfrid’s Catholic High School & Sixth Form College is a state-funded voluntary academy. This means it is a state school with no tuition fees. Parents and carers are not required to pay for the core educational provision for children aged 11 to 18.

Associated costs that families should budget for include the school uniform, which is available from local suppliers, and optional school trips or specialist music lessons. Support may be available for families eligible for the Pupil Premium or those experiencing financial hardship; the school encourages parents to contact the finance office directly to discuss individual circumstances and potential assistance with costs such as transport or uniform.

The school day typically begins at 8:40am and concludes at 3:10pm. While there is no formal wraparound care for a secondary school of this type, many extracurricular clubs and sports fixtures run until 4:30pm or later.

Transport is a key consideration for many families. The school is served by several dedicated bus routes from across the Wakefield and Pontefract areas. For those travelling by train, Pontefract Tanshelf and Glasshoughton stations are the nearest rail links, though both require a further bus or a significant walk to reach the campus.

• Faith-based admissions: As an oversubscribed Catholic academy, families from non-Catholic backgrounds may find it difficult to secure a place unless they live in the immediate vicinity and there are remaining spaces after all faith criteria are met.
• Large school environment: With a capacity of 1,800, the school can feel busy and large. Students who thrive in smaller, more intimate settings may find the scale of St Wilfrid’s a significant adjustment.
• Featherstone location: While the school has a Pontefract address, it is physically located in Featherstone. Families should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates and verify the available bus routes, as transport can be complex from some outlying villages.
• Sixth Form focus: The sixth form offers a genuine mix of academic and vocational routes. Students seeking a purely academic environment may find the diverse mix of BTEC and A-level students a different experience than that of a standalone sixth form college.

St Wilfrid’s Catholic High School & Sixth Form College is a stable and high-achieving community school that successfully balances its religious identity with academic ambition. It offers a broad and inclusive education, supported by strong pastoral care and a clear sense of discipline. Best suited to Catholic families in the local area who value a values-driven education, or for students who want a large school with extensive extracurricular opportunities and a clear pathway into post-16 study. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature on FindMySchool to manage their shortlist.