Park Lane Academy is a mainstream secondary school in Halifax, Calderdale, for children and young people aged 11 to 16. In January 2026, 98 of its 481 pupils (20.4%) were getting SEN support and 49 (10.2%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–16
- 481 pupils
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Calderdale.
20.4% get SEN support
98 of 481 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
10.2% have an EHC plan
49 of 481 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism38
- Social, emotional and mental health36
- Moderate learning difficulty26
- Speech, language and communication25
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia13
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 (sponsored)
- Ages
- 11 to 16
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 481 (places for 600)
- Headteacher
- Mr Stuart Hillary
- Part of
- South Pennine Academies
- Free school meals
- 57.4% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Calderdale
- School reference (URN)
- 143115
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
Serious weaknesses. Graded by area, May 2025
Ofsted has placed this school in serious weaknesses.
Inspected in May 2025. Inspections from September 2024 to November 2025 graded each area but gave no overall grade.
- Quality of educationInadequate
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Leadership and managementRequires improvement
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Park Lane, Exley, Halifax, HX3 9LG
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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
- Compass Community School North Independent · Ages 11–17 · Ofsted: Good 0.7 miles
- Ravenscliffe High School Special school · Ages 11–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.7 miles
- Cross Lane Primary and Nursery School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.2 miles
- Trinity Academy Grammar Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 2.7 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Siddal Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 27.8%, EHC plans 4.1% 0.4 miles
- All Saints' CofE Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 11.1%, EHC plans 3.4% 0.6 miles
- West Vale Academy Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 36.5%, EHC plans 13.5% 0.6 miles
All mainstream schools in Calderdale SEND schools in Calderdale
Questions about Park Lane Academy
How many pupils at Park Lane Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 98 of the 481 pupils (20.4%) were getting SEN support and 49 (10.2%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Park Lane Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (38 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (36 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (26 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Park Lane 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 Park Lane Academy?
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 Park Lane Academy?
You can ask for Park Lane 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 Park Lane 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 Cross Lane Primary and Nursery School, about 1.2 miles away.
Where is Park Lane Academy?
Park Lane, Exley, Halifax, HX3 9LG, 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.