The Farnley Academy is a mainstream secondary school in Leeds for children and young people aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 263 of its 1,492 pupils (17.6%) were getting SEN support and 17 (1.1%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 1,492 pupils
- Ofsted: Outstanding
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Leeds.
17.6% get SEN support
263 of 1,492 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
1.1% have an EHC plan
17 of 1,492 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism61
- Moderate learning difficulty56
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia53
- Social, emotional and mental health48
- Speech, language and communication45
- Visual impairment7
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 (sponsored)
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,492 (places for 1,210)
- Headteacher
- Mr Richard Cooper (Principal)
- Part of
- The Gorse Academies Trust
- Free school meals
- 35.3% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Leeds
- School reference (URN)
- 137577
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 Outstanding, September 2023
Rated Outstanding at its last graded inspection, in September 2023.
- Quality of educationOutstanding
- Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
- Personal developmentOutstanding
- Leadership and managementOutstanding
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Chapel Lane, Farnley, Leeds, LS12 5EU
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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
- Armley Grange School Independent · Ages 5–19 1.4 miles
- Bramley Park Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Outstanding 2.1 miles
- Future Horizons Leeds Ltd Independent · Ages 19–30 2.3 miles
- Beeston Hill St Luke's Church of England Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 2.8 miles
Other mainstream schools
Questions about The Farnley Academy
How many pupils at The Farnley Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 263 of the 1,492 pupils (17.6%) were getting SEN support and 17 (1.1%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at The Farnley Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (61 pupils), moderate learning difficulties (56 pupils) and dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (53 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at The Farnley 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 The Farnley 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 The Farnley Academy?
You can ask for The Farnley 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 The Farnley 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 Bramley Park Academy, about 2.1 miles away.
Where is The Farnley Academy?
Chapel Lane, Farnley, Leeds, LS12 5EU, 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.