Overthorpe CofE Academy is a mainstream primary school in Dewsbury, Kirklees, for children aged 3 to 11. In January 2026, 42 of its 188 pupils (22.3%) were getting SEN support and 4 (2.1%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 3–11
- 188 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Kirklees.
22.3% get SEN support
42 of 188 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
2.1% have an EHC plan
4 of 188 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Moderate learning difficulty18
- Social, emotional and mental health10
- Speech, language and communication9
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia6
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 primary school
- Run as
- Academy (sponsored)
- Ages
- 3 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 188 (places for 294)
- Headteacher
- Ms Lauren McCarthy
- Part of
- Enhance Academy Trust
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 47.9% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Kirklees
- School reference (URN)
- 138979
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 Kirklees 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, May 2024
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in May 2024.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- Early yearsGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Edge Top Road, Thornhill, Dewsbury, WF12 0BH
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
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The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Thornhill Community Academy, A Share Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 0.7 miles
- Ravenshall School Special school · Ages 5–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 1.0 mile
- Denby Grange School Independent · Ages 11–18 2.5 miles
- Carlinghow Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 4.1 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Thornhill Junior and Infant School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 15.6%, EHC plans 2.5% 0.5 miles
- Thornhill Lees Church of England Voluntary Controlled Infant and Nursery School Primary · Ages 2–7 · SEN support 19.7%, EHC plans 4.9% 0.8 miles
- Headfield Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior School Primary · Ages 7–11 · SEN support 21%, EHC plans 4.8% 1.0 mile
Questions about Overthorpe CofE Academy
How many pupils at Overthorpe CofE Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 42 of the 188 pupils (22.3%) were getting SEN support and 4 (2.1%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Overthorpe CofE Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are moderate learning difficulties (18 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (10 pupils) and speech, language and communication needs (9 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Overthorpe CofE 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 Overthorpe CofE Academy?
Through Kirklees 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 Overthorpe CofE Academy?
You can ask for Overthorpe CofE 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 Overthorpe CofE 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 Thornhill Community Academy, A Share Academy, about 0.7 miles away.
Where is Overthorpe CofE Academy?
Edge Top Road, Thornhill, Dewsbury, WF12 0BH, in Kirklees.
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.