Woodkirk Academy is a mainstream secondary school in Wakefield, Leeds, for children and young people aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 113 of its 1,769 pupils (6.4%) were getting SEN support and 22 (1.2%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 1,769 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Leeds.
6.4% get SEN support
113 of 1,769 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
1.2% have an EHC plan
22 of 1,769 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism46
- Social, emotional and mental health35
- Speech, language and communication19
- Moderate learning difficulty14
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia14
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
- Academy
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,769 (places for 1,785)
- Headteacher
- Mr Timothy Jones (Principal)
- Part of
- Leodis Academies Trust
- Free school meals
- 20.9% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Leeds
- School reference (URN)
- 137383
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 Leeds 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 (March 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, March 2023).
Contact and getting there
Rein Road, Tingley, Wakefield, WF3 1JQ
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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
- East Ardsley Primary Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 2.2 miles
- Highfield School Special school · Ages 11–19 · Ofsted: Good 2.2 miles
- Windmill CofE Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 2.4 miles
- Becker School Independent · Ages 5–13 · Ofsted: Good 2.5 miles
Other mainstream schools
Questions about Woodkirk Academy
How many pupils at Woodkirk Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 113 of the 1,769 pupils (6.4%) were getting SEN support and 22 (1.2%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Woodkirk Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (46 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (35 pupils) and speech, language and communication needs (19 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Woodkirk Academy?
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 Woodkirk Academy?
Through Leeds 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 Woodkirk Academy?
You can ask for Woodkirk Academy 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 Woodkirk Academy 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 East Ardsley Primary Academy, about 2.2 miles away.
Where is Woodkirk Academy?
Rein Road, Tingley, Wakefield, WF3 1JQ, in Leeds.
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.