The school's history dates back to the late 1500s, when NormantonGrammar School was founded and endowed by John Freeston of Altofts, a local barrister. The school was later moved to its current location in the 1950s, where only a chimney remains in the original location. The school has experienced much success over recent years with results improving consistently. In 2006, the school provided the highest number of pupils gaining five A-C GCSE grades in its history with 50% of students reaching five A-Cs, an improvement from 33% in 2004. The school has witnessed a recent injection of investment, becoming a Business and Enterprise College in 2003. Since the start of 2003, most classrooms were given electronic whiteboards with touchscreens, personal laptops for teachers, a new science block and a sports centre. The school was previously undergoing plans of demolishing, re-designing and re-building Freeston within the grounds, with a school expected to be built around 2011. Unfortunately, due to cutbacks by the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government, most school-redesign projects were called off. The school has recently been noticed by the British public after Head of Business Ed Vickerman won 'The SSAT Award for Outstanding New Teacher of the Year' at the Teaching awards 2009.
Academy
Along with a number of other secondary schools, Freeston changed itself to an academy status in 2011 following cutbacks by the Conservative/LibDem coalition to the Education sector. Its school motto was "Making the Difference in the Business of Learning". On 20 August 2015 the academy library and ICT lab caught fire and burnt down as a result of maintenance work being carried out on the roof. As this was during the school holidays there were no classes, however it was the same day that GCSE results were released, and pupils had to collect their results later in the day and from the sports hall. The academy reopened for the start of term on Wednesday 2 September as planned. On 8 September 2017Wakefield City Academies Trust announced it was disbanding. On 30 January 2018 Outwood Grange Academies Trust was named as the new sponsor for The Freeston Academy. The school transferred to its new sponsor on 1 June 2018, reopening as Outwood Academy Freeston.
Academics
The last Ofsted reportin September 2017 concluded that Freeston provides a sound education for its students, supported by a strong governing body and providing support for students and parents alike. The school has Enterprise Hub Status and works successfully with nine West Yorkshire schools.
