Merlin Top Primary Academy is a mainstream primary school in Keighley, Bradford, for children aged 3 to 11. In January 2026, 79 of its 343 pupils (23%) were getting SEN support and 20 (5.8%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 3–11
- 343 pupils
- Ofsted: Outstanding
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Bradford.
23% get SEN support
79 of 343 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
5.8% have an EHC plan
20 of 343 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication42
- Moderate learning difficulty17
- Social, emotional and mental health14
- Autism12
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
- 343 (places for 315)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Kiara Grove (Principal)
- Part of
- Northern Education Trust
- Free school meals
- 55.1% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Bradford
- School reference (URN)
- 139229
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 Bradford 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, March 2019; standards maintained (October 2024)
Rated Outstanding at its last graded inspection, in March 2019. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementOutstanding
- Early yearsOutstanding
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: Standards maintained (ungraded inspection, October 2024).
Contact and getting there
Braithwaite Avenue, Keighley, BD22 6HZ
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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
- Beckfoot Phoenix Special school · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.0 miles
- The Holy Family Catholic School, a Voluntary Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 0.8 miles
- Beechcliffe Special School Special school · Ages 11–19 · Ofsted: Good 1.0 mile
- Parkwood Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.2 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Our Lady of Victories Catholic School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 11.8%, EHC plans 7.6% 0.3 miles
- Victoria Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 11.1%, EHC plans 1.9% 0.5 miles
- Keighley St Andrew's CofE Primary School and Nursery Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 13.4%, EHC plans 4.2% 0.5 miles
Questions about Merlin Top Primary Academy
How many pupils at Merlin Top Primary Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 79 of the 343 pupils (23%) were getting SEN support and 20 (5.8%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Merlin Top Primary Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (42 pupils), moderate learning difficulties (17 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (14 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Merlin Top Primary 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 Merlin Top Primary Academy?
Through Bradford 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 Merlin Top Primary Academy?
You can ask for Merlin Top Primary 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 Merlin Top Primary 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 The Holy Family Catholic School, a Voluntary Academy, about 0.8 miles away.
Where is Merlin Top Primary Academy?
Braithwaite Avenue, Keighley, BD22 6HZ, in Bradford.
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.