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catchment.school

Carleton High School Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

Carleton High School is an academy converter secondary school in Pontefract, Wakefield , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 1021 pupils, and a capacity of 1050 places. The school is operating close to capacity, and catchment area boundaries apply when the school is oversubscribed.

11-16

Age range

1,021

Pupils

1,050

Capacity

97%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2019

Carleton High School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Carleton High School?

The catchment area for Carleton High School is the geographic zone Wakefield uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Wakefield publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, Carleton High School sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Wakefield. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

Operating near capacity: 97% of places are currently filled. Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

Get an alert if Carleton High School goes oversubscribed for 2027 →

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Wakefield before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Wakefield catchment area documents →

Carleton High School: 1050 places, 97% filled: nearing capacity

Carleton High School has a published admission number of 1050 places. 1021 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 97%. The school is operating close to its limit. In years where applications exceed 1050, Wakefield's admissions team applies distance-based tiebreakers. Families within the school's historical catchment boundary are well placed, but a boundary check with the council is recommended before applying.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 29.8% of pupils at Carleton High School are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Wakefield.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

Wakefield publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. Find Wakefield school admissions →

Carleton High School: School Information

Full address
Green Lane, Carleton, Pontefract, WF8 3NW
Local authority
Wakefield
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-16 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
29.8% of pupils
DfE URN
139501

Other Secondary Schools in Pontefract

If Carleton High School is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Pontefract are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Carleton High School by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: Carleton High School

What is the catchment area for Carleton High School?

The catchment area for Carleton High School is the geographic zone Wakefield uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Wakefield publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Carleton High School oversubscribed?

Carleton High School is operating close to its capacity of 1050 places (97% full). Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

What is the admissions policy for Carleton High School?

Admission to Carleton High School is managed by Wakefield. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does Carleton High School cover?

Carleton High School is a secondary school in Pontefract, Wakefield, serving pupils aged 11-16. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Carleton High School?

Carleton High School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2019. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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