West Vale Academy is a mainstream primary school in Halifax, Calderdale, for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 27 of its 74 pupils (36.5%) were getting SEN support and 10 (13.5%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–11
- 74 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2025)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Calderdale.
36.5% get SEN support
27 of 74 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
13.5% have an EHC plan
10 of 74 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Moderate learning difficulty15
- Autism11
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
- 4 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 74 (places for 182)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Helen Crowther
- Part of
- Great Heights Academy Trust
- Free school meals
- 44.6% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Calderdale
- School reference (URN)
- 145571
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
Report card, November 2025: Expected standard in every area
Inspected in November 2025 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
Contact and getting there
Stainland Road, West Vale, Halifax, HX4 8LS
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
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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 0.4 miles
- Cross Lane Primary and Nursery School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.7 miles
- William Henry Smith Specialist College Independent · Ages 16–25 0.8 miles
- Trinity Academy Grammar Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 2.9 miles
Other mainstream schools
- St Patrick's Catholic Primary Academy Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 12.3%, EHC plans 4.7% 0.4 miles
- Elland Church of England (Voluntary Aided) Junior, Infant and Nursery School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 20.3%, EHC plans 5.1% 0.5 miles
- The Brooksbank School Secondary · Ages 11–18 · SEN support 9.6%, EHC plans 4.1% 0.6 miles
All mainstream schools in Calderdale SEND schools in Calderdale
Questions about West Vale Academy
How many pupils at West Vale Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 27 of the 74 pupils (36.5%) were getting SEN support and 10 (13.5%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at West Vale Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are moderate learning difficulties (15 pupils) and autism (11 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at West Vale 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 West Vale 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 West Vale Academy?
You can ask for West Vale 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 West Vale 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 0.7 miles away.
Where is West Vale Academy?
Stainland Road, West Vale, Halifax, HX4 8LS, 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.