King James's School is a mainstream secondary school in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, for children and young people aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 244 of its 1,554 pupils (15.7%) were getting SEN support and 66 (4.2%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 1,554 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in North Yorkshire.
15.7% get SEN support
244 of 1,554 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
4.2% have an EHC plan
66 of 1,554 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism74
- Social, emotional and mental health68
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia68
- Moderate learning difficulty41
- Speech, language and communication27
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream secondary school
- Run as
- Council-run school
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,554 (places for 1,705)
- Headteacher
- Ms Miriam Oakley
- Free school meals
- 19.2% of pupils eligible
- Council
- North Yorkshire
- School reference (URN)
- 121687
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask North Yorkshire council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Rated Good, December 2011; school remains Good (January 2023)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in December 2011. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
- Sixth formGood
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, January 2023).
Contact and getting there
King James Road, Knaresborough, HG5 8EB
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Knaresborough St John's Church of England Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.4 miles
- The Forest School Special school · Ages 2–16 0.6 miles
- Springwater Academy Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted: Good 1.4 miles
- St John Fisher Catholic Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 2.7 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Aspin Park Academy Primary · Ages 5–11 · SEN support 10.6%, EHC plans 2.9% 0.4 miles
- St Mary's Primary School Knaresborough, A Voluntary Catholic Academy Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 15.5%, EHC plans 3.6% 0.6 miles
- Meadowside Academy Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 23.3%, EHC plans 5.8% 0.7 miles
All mainstream schools in North Yorkshire SEND schools in North Yorkshire
Questions about King James's School
How many pupils at King James's School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 244 of the 1,554 pupils (15.7%) were getting SEN support and 66 (4.2%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at King James's School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (74 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (68 pupils) and dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (68 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at King James's School?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at King James's School?
Through North Yorkshire council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to King James's School?
You can ask for King James's School to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does King James's School have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is Knaresborough St John's Church of England Primary School, about 0.4 miles away.
Where is King James's School?
King James Road, Knaresborough, HG5 8EB, in North Yorkshire.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.