Ackworth Mill Dam School is a mainstream primary school in Pontefract, Wakefield, for children aged 3 to 11. In January 2026, 27 of its 225 pupils (12%) were getting SEN support and 10 (4.4%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 3–11
- 225 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Wakefield.
12% get SEN support
27 of 225 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
4.4% have an EHC plan
10 of 225 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 communication22
- Social, emotional and mental health9
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
- 225 (places for 236)
- Headteacher
- Clare Holloway
- Part of
- Waterton Academy Trust
- Free school meals
- 14% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Wakefield
- School reference (URN)
- 144563
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
Report card, May 2026: Expected standard in every area
Inspected in May 2026 under Ofsted’s new report cards, which grade each area separately, from Exceptional to Urgent improvement, instead of one overall grade.
- InclusionExpected standard
- Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
- AchievementExpected standard
- Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
- Early yearsExpected standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
- SafeguardingMet
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, January 2022).
Contact and getting there
Mill Gate, Ackworth, Pontefract, WF7 7PH
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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
- Oakfield Park School Special school · Ages 11–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.4 miles
- The Featherstone Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 2.3 miles
- Wragby School Independent · Ages 8–16 2.3 miles
- Ark Carleton High School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 2.7 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Outwood Primary Academy Bell Lane Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 6.9%, EHC plans 1.9% 0.5 miles
- Ackworth Howard Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior and Infant School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 6.1%, EHC plans 2.2% 0.7 miles
- Badsworth Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior and Infant School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 10.5%, EHC plans 3.3% 1.6 miles
All mainstream schools in Wakefield SEND schools in Wakefield
Questions about Ackworth Mill Dam School
How many pupils at Ackworth Mill Dam School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 27 of the 225 pupils (12%) were getting SEN support and 10 (4.4%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Ackworth Mill Dam School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (22 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (9 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Ackworth Mill Dam 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 Ackworth Mill Dam School?
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 Ackworth Mill Dam School?
You can ask for Ackworth Mill Dam 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 Ackworth Mill Dam 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 The Featherstone Academy, about 2.3 miles away.
Where is Ackworth Mill Dam School?
Mill Gate, Ackworth, Pontefract, WF7 7PH, 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.