Selby High School Specialist School for the Arts and Science is a mainstream secondary school in Selby, North Yorkshire, for children and young people aged 11 to 16. In January 2026, 144 of its 1,176 pupils (12.2%) were getting SEN support and 54 (4.6%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–16
- 1,176 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in North Yorkshire.
12.2% get SEN support
144 of 1,176 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
4.6% have an EHC plan
54 of 1,176 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health51
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia44
- Moderate learning difficulty35
- Autism22
- Speech, language and communication13
- Visual impairment6
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 16
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,176 (places for 1,185)
- Headteacher
- Mr Nicholas Hinchliffe (Principal)
- Free school meals
- 28.3% of pupils eligible
- Council
- North Yorkshire
- School reference (URN)
- 121702
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, November 2013; school remains Good (October 2023)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in November 2013. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, October 2023).
Contact and getting there
Leeds Road, Selby, YO8 4HT
Loading the map…
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
- Brayton Church of England Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.0 mile
- Barlby High School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted report card (2025) 2.3 miles
- Meadow School Independent · Ages 11–16 5.2 miles
- Balance Alternative Provision Independent · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 9.0 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Selby Community Primary School Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 25.4%, EHC plans 8.9% 0.4 miles
- Selby Abbey Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 19.5%, EHC plans 4% 0.4 miles
- Brayton Academy Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 15%, EHC plans 2.8% 0.5 miles
All mainstream schools in North Yorkshire SEND schools in North Yorkshire
Questions about Selby High School Specialist School for the Arts and Science
How many pupils at Selby High School Specialist School for the Arts and Science have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 144 of the 1,176 pupils (12.2%) were getting SEN support and 54 (4.6%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Selby High School Specialist School for the Arts and Science?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (51 pupils), dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (44 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (35 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Selby High School Specialist School for the Arts and Science?
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 Selby High School Specialist School for the Arts and Science?
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 Selby High School Specialist School for the Arts and Science?
You can ask for Selby High School Specialist School for the Arts and Science 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 Selby High School Specialist School for the Arts and Science 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 Brayton Church of England Primary School, about 1.0 mile away.
Where is Selby High School Specialist School for the Arts and Science?
Leeds Road, Selby, YO8 4HT, 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.