The Ruth Gorse Academy is a mainstream secondary school in Leeds for children and young people aged 11 to 16. In January 2026, 225 of its 1,265 pupils (17.8%) were getting SEN support and 21 (1.7%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–16
- 1,265 pupils
- Ofsted: Outstanding
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Leeds.
17.8% get SEN support
225 of 1,265 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
1.7% have an EHC plan
21 of 1,265 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Moderate learning difficulty84
- Social, emotional and mental health66
- Speech, language and communication50
- Autism14
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia10
- Hearing 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
- Free school
- Ages
- 11 to 16
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,265 (places for 1,260)
- Headteacher
- Miss Saba Mir
- Part of
- The Gorse Academies Trust
- Free school meals
- 53.6% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Leeds
- School reference (URN)
- 140565
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, July 2017; school remains Outstanding (October 2023)
Rated Outstanding at its last graded inspection, in July 2017. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementOutstanding
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: School remains Outstanding (ungraded inspection, October 2023).
Contact and getting there
Black Bull Street, Leeds, LS10 1HW
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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
- Richmond Hill Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.6 miles
- Cockburn Reach Academy Independent · Ages 5–11 · Ofsted report card (2026) 0.7 miles
- Co-op Academy Brierley Special school · Ages 4–16 · Ofsted report card (2026) 0.8 miles
- New Bewerley Community School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted report card (2026) 0.9 miles
Other mainstream schools
- University Technical College Leeds Secondary · Ages 14–19 · SEN support 18.3%, EHC plans 2.2% 0.2 miles
- Mount St Mary's Catholic High School Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 14.6%, EHC plans 1.1% 0.4 miles
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Hunslet Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 23.8%, EHC plans 2.5% 0.7 miles
Questions about The Ruth Gorse Academy
How many pupils at The Ruth Gorse Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 225 of the 1,265 pupils (17.8%) were getting SEN support and 21 (1.7%) 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 Ruth Gorse Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are moderate learning difficulties (84 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (66 pupils) and speech, language and communication needs (50 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at The Ruth Gorse 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 Ruth Gorse 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 Ruth Gorse Academy?
You can ask for The Ruth Gorse 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 Ruth Gorse 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 Richmond Hill Academy, about 0.6 miles away.
Where is The Ruth Gorse Academy?
Black Bull Street, Leeds, LS10 1HW, 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.