Ryburn Valley High School is a mainstream secondary school in Sowerby Bridge, Calderdale, for children and young people aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 148 of its 1,589 pupils (9.3%) were getting SEN support and 85 (5.3%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 1,589 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Calderdale.
9.3% get SEN support
148 of 1,589 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
5.3% have an EHC plan
85 of 1,589 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism51
- Social, emotional and mental health50
- Moderate learning difficulty46
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia35
- Speech, language and communication21
- Physical disability7
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
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,589 (places for 1,500)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Donna Watkins
- Part of
- Together Learning Trust
- Free school meals
- 25.1% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Calderdale
- School reference (URN)
- 141307
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 Calderdale 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, April 2013; school remains Good (July 2022)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in April 2013. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, July 2022).
Contact and getting there
St Peter's Avenue, Sowerby, Sowerby Bridge, HX6 1DF
Loading the map…
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
- Trinity Academy Grammar Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 1.2 miles
- Compass Community School Willow Park Independent · Ages 6–18 · Ofsted: Outstanding 1.3 miles
- Wood Bank School Special school · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.6 miles
- Cross Lane Primary and Nursery School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 3.9 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Trinity Academy St Peter's Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 23.4%, EHC plans 4.3% 0.2 miles
- Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 14%, EHC plans 5.3% 0.3 miles
- Triangle CofE VC Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 13.3%, EHC plans 1.7% 0.5 miles
All mainstream schools in Calderdale SEND schools in Calderdale
Questions about Ryburn Valley High School
How many pupils at Ryburn Valley High School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 148 of the 1,589 pupils (9.3%) were getting SEN support and 85 (5.3%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Ryburn Valley High School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (51 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (50 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (46 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Ryburn Valley High School?
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 Ryburn Valley High School?
Through Calderdale 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 Ryburn Valley High School?
You can ask for Ryburn Valley High School 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 Ryburn Valley High School 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 Trinity Academy Grammar, about 1.2 miles away.
Where is Ryburn Valley High School?
St Peter's Avenue, Sowerby, Sowerby Bridge, HX6 1DF, in Calderdale.
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.