All-ThroughCo-educationalOfsted · Good

Wakefield independent sch

Wakefield, West Yorkshire · WF4 1QG

A*–B A-level

9–7 GCSE

Day fees

£10k

Inspection

Good

Read report
School website

Wakefield Independent School is a small, all-through day school serving pupils from nursery age through to sixth form in the West Yorkshire market town of Wakefield. With just 144 pupils across all year groups, it operates as a genuinely intimate community where staff know every child by name and individual attention is a practical reality rather than a marketing claim. The school draws on the tradition of independent education in the region while offering flexible entry points that make it accessible to families at multiple stages. Its modest size is both its defining characteristic and its central selling point.

  • Exceptionally small class sizes allowing highly personalised teaching and pastoral attention
  • All-through structure from age 3 to 18 reducing transition anxiety and providing continuity of care
  • Independent education at what is likely a more accessible price point than larger regional independents such as Silcoates or Ackworth

Who thrives here

Pupils who thrive in close-knit environments, benefit from knowing their teachers well, and may feel lost or overwhelmed in larger schools. It particularly suits children whose families value the stability of a single-school journey from early years to A-levels.

Strengths at a glance

Exam resultsno dataSports30th pctCo-curricular50th pctValue vs peers50th pctPastoral & wellbeingno data

Percentiles within UK independent + grammar schools we track.

At a glance

School typeAll-Through · Day
Number of pupils144
Age range3–18
GenderCo-educational
Day fees£9.6k/yr
Settingsuburban
LocationThe WF4 postcode places the school south of Wakefield city centre, making it most accessible by car; rail access requires onward travel from the city's two main stations.

Contact & visit

Nostell Centre, Doncaster Road, Nostell

Wakefield, West Yorkshire

WF4 1QG

www.wakefieldindependent.com
01924865757
Mrs K E Caryl, Headteacher

Nearest stations

Wakefield Westgate15 min
Wakefield Kirkgate20 min

Frequently asked questions

What are the fees at Wakefield independent sch?

Day fees at Wakefield independent sch are approximately £9,600 per year (2024/25).

How do you get into Wakefield independent sch?

Wakefield independent sch admits pupils at 3+, 4+, 7+, 8+, 11+, 13+, 16+. Entry is assessed by Interview, Assessment. See the Admissions section above for open days and key dates.

Is Wakefield independent sch a boarding school?

Wakefield independent sch is a day school in Wakefield and does not offer boarding.

What is Wakefield independent sch's latest inspection rating?

Ofsted rated Wakefield independent sch “Good” (2024).

What parents say

Frequently praised

Staff know every child as an individual and pastoral care is genuinely personal

Children feel safe, seen and valued in a way that can be hard to find in larger schools

Flexible and responsive to individual family needs

Common concerns

!Limited breadth of co-curricular activities and specialist facilities compared to larger independent schools in the region

!Small sixth form cohort may constrain A-level subject choice

!Lack of independent inspection data (no Ofsted or ISI rating) makes it harder for prospective families to benchmark quality