Founded in 1735, the school originally was sited in the centre of Ossett, but the old building was demolished in 1908 to make way for a new Town Hall. The 1902 Education Act and the subsequent establishment of the West Riding County Council as the local education authority paved the way for the trustees to transfer the trust property, money and endowments to the Education Committee of Ossett Town Council In September 1907 a new era began with the co-educational Ossett Grammar School opening at its new location at Park House, off Storrs Hill Road. Well-known former pupils include novelists Mabel Ferret Stan Barstow 1928-2011, and Ruth Nettleton, local historian and archivist. Several key artists have emanated from OGS, including Christopher Cavania Sanders, RA, 1905-1991, Donald Heywood, international artist and current supporter of endangered species, and his twin brother, Peter Heywood, who became a professional artist after a career in physics and maths. In 1969 the school converted to a comprehensive school and became known simply as Ossett School. Spring 2006 saw Ossett School gain dual Specialist School status and it became known as a Specialist Technology and Sports College. The school converted to an Academy School in 2011 and was renamed Ossett Academy and Sixth Form College. The school is part of the Accord Multi Academy Trust. Ossett Academy and Sixth Form College is a much larger than average size secondary school with a large sixth form and is heavily oversubscribed. The proportion of students supported through the pupil premium is below the national average. A well-below average proportion of students are from minority ethnic groups and the proportion of disabled students and those who have special educational needs supported at school action is above average. Since 2012 the secondary school and sixth form have consistently ranked as one of the top 3 schools/colleges for academic performance in the Wakefield area and in the top 15% nationally. As of 2017 the Secondary School was ranked as the 2nd best in Wakefield in terms of Attainment 8 Score and Grade 4 & 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
Ofsted Inspections
The latest section 5 OFSTED inspection report of Ossett Academy, released in 2013, stated that the school was 'good' overall, with 'outstanding' features. In 2012 the Academy received its first ever section 5 OFSTED inspection report and was deemed 'satisfactory' overall, with 'good' features
This score shows how much progress pupils at the school made between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4, compared to pupils across England who got similar results at the end of key stage 2. This is based on results in up to 8 qualifications, which include English, maths, 3 English Baccalaureate qualifications including sciences, computer science, history, geography and languages, and 3 other additional approved qualifications. A score above zero means pupils made more progress, on average, than pupils across England who got similar results at the end of key stage 2. A score below zero means pupils made less progress, on average, than pupils across England who got similar results at the end of key stage 2. A negative progress score does not mean pupils made no progress, or the school has failed, rather it means pupils in the school made less progress than other pupils across England with similar results at the end of key stage 2.
2017 0.06
2016 -0.2
Local Ranking – 11th out of 31 Schools
Attainment 8 Score
Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications, which include English, maths, 3 English Baccalaureate qualifications including sciences, computer science, history, geography and languages, and 3 other additional approved qualifications.
2017 – School 51.6 Points – Local Authority Average 45.3 Points – England Average 44.2 Points
2016 – School 52.8 Points – Local Authority Average 48.6 Points – England Average 48.5 Points
Local Ranking – 2nd out of 31 Schools
Grade 5 or above in English & maths GCSEs
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in the 2017 reformed English and maths GCSEs. Reformed GCSEs are graded 1 to 9. Grade 5 in the new grading is a similar level of achievement to a high grade C or low grade B in the old grading.
2017 – School 60% – Local Authority Average 41.6% – England Average 39.1%
Local Ranking – 2nd out of 31 Schools
Grade 4 or above in English & maths GCSEs
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 4 or above in the 2017 reformed English and maths GCSEs. Reformed GCSEs are graded 1 to 9. Grade 4 or above in the new grading is a similar level of achievement to a grade C or above in the old grading.
2017 – School 77% – Local Authority Average 62.6% – England Average 63.3%
2016 – School 78% – Local Authority Average 63.7% – England Average 59.3%
Local Ranking – 2nd out of 31 Schools
David Drake Building
In 2005 a new building, christened the 'David Drake Building' after former long-standing chair of governors David Drake, was completed. It is home to the sixth form college. The building was constructed on old tennis courts and is now neighbour to a multi-purpose sports courts for netball, tennis and football using all weather materials.
