Airedale Junior Academy is a mainstream primary school in Castleford, Wakefield, for children aged 7 to 11. In January 2026, 94 of its 385 pupils (24.4%) were getting SEN support and 21 (5.5%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 7–11
- 385 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Wakefield.
24.4% get SEN support
94 of 385 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
5.5% have an EHC plan
21 of 385 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication43
- Social, emotional and mental health35
- Moderate learning difficulty20
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia5
- Physical disability5
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
- 7 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 385 (places for 448)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Kirsten McKechnie
- Part of
- Castleford Academy Trust
- Free school meals
- 41% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Wakefield
- School reference (URN)
- 141409
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, December 2017; school remains Good (April 2023)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in December 2017. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, April 2023).
Contact and getting there
Fryston Road, Airedale, Castleford, WF10 3EP
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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
- Airedale Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Requires improvement 0.4 miles
- Oyster Park Primary Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted report card (2026) 0.7 miles
- Balance Alternative Provision Independent · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 2.2 miles
- The Grange School Independent · Ages 5–14 2.3 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Townville Academy Primary · Ages 3–7 · SEN support 14.4%, EHC plans 8.1% 0.2 miles
- Airedale Infant Academy Primary · Ages 3–7 · SEN support 7.3%, EHC plans 2.4% 0.2 miles
- Fairburn View Primary School, Castleford Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 10.8%, EHC plans 3.8% 0.4 miles
All mainstream schools in Wakefield SEND schools in Wakefield
Questions about Airedale Junior Academy
How many pupils at Airedale Junior Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 94 of the 385 pupils (24.4%) were getting SEN support and 21 (5.5%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Airedale Junior 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 (35 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (20 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Airedale Junior 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 Airedale Junior 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 Airedale Junior Academy?
You can ask for Airedale Junior 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 Airedale Junior 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 Airedale Academy, about 0.4 miles away.
Where is Airedale Junior Academy?
Fryston Road, Airedale, Castleford, WF10 3EP, 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.