St Giles C of E Academy is a mainstream primary school in Pontefract, Wakefield, for children aged 3 to 11. In January 2026, 79 of its 337 pupils (23.4%) were getting SEN support and 12 (3.6%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 3–11
- 337 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Wakefield.
23.4% get SEN support
79 of 337 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
3.6% have an EHC plan
12 of 337 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication43
- Social, emotional and mental health20
- Moderate learning difficulty16
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
- Ages
- 3 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 337 (places for 315)
- Headteacher
- Mr Andrew Richard Grace
- Part of
- Enhance Academy Trust
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 17.3% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Wakefield
- School reference (URN)
- 140453
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 Wakefield 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, September 2015; improved significantly (January 2025)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in September 2015. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
- Early yearsGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: Improved significantly (ungraded inspection, January 2025).
Contact and getting there
Skinner Lane, Pontefract, WF8 1HG
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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
- High Well School Special school · Ages 9–16 · Ofsted: Good 1.1 miles
- Ark The Rookeries Carleton Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.4 miles
- Ark Carleton High School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 1.5 miles
- Balance Alternative Provision Independent · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 2.1 miles
Other mainstream schools
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Pontefract Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 19.4%, EHC plans 2.3% 0.5 miles
- Ark Halfpenny Lane Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 14.5%, EHC plans 3% 0.8 miles
- Ark Orchard Head Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 14%, EHC plans 5.4% 0.8 miles
All mainstream schools in Wakefield SEND schools in Wakefield
Questions about St Giles C of E Academy
How many pupils at St Giles C of E Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 79 of the 337 pupils (23.4%) were getting SEN support and 12 (3.6%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at St Giles C of E Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (43 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (20 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (16 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at St Giles C of E 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 St Giles C of E Academy?
Through Wakefield 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 St Giles C of E Academy?
You can ask for St Giles C of E 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 St Giles C of E 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 Ark The Rookeries Carleton Primary School, about 1.4 miles away.
Where is St Giles C of E Academy?
Skinner Lane, Pontefract, WF8 1HG, in Wakefield.
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.