Carlton Bolling is a mainstream secondary school in Bradford for children and young people aged 11 to 16. In January 2026, 343 of its 1,633 pupils (21%) were getting SEN support and 67 (4.1%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–16
- 1,633 pupils
- Ofsted: Outstanding
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Bradford.
21% get SEN support
343 of 1,633 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
4.1% have an EHC plan
67 of 1,633 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Moderate learning difficulty227
- Social, emotional and mental health74
- Speech, language and communication54
- Autism25
- Physical disability23
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 16
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,633 (places for 1,524)
- Headteacher
- Mr Mohammed Azum
- Part of
- Carlton Academy Trust
- Free school meals
- 46.3% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Bradford
- School reference (URN)
- 147100
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 Bradford 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 Outstanding, October 2017; school remains Outstanding (May 2023)
Rated Outstanding at its last graded inspection, in October 2017. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementOutstanding
- Sixth formGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: School remains Outstanding (ungraded inspection, May 2023).
Contact and getting there
Undercliffe Lane, Bradford, BD3 0DU
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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
- School of Rock & Media Ltd Independent · Ages 16–25 0.2 miles
- Coleman Training Development Ltd Independent · Ages 16–25 0.5 miles
- Midland Road Nursery School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–5 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.9 miles
- Abbey Green Nursery School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–4 · Ofsted: Outstanding 1.1 miles
Other mainstream schools
Questions about Carlton Bolling
How many pupils at Carlton Bolling have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 343 of the 1,633 pupils (21%) were getting SEN support and 67 (4.1%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Carlton Bolling?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are moderate learning difficulties (227 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (74 pupils) and speech, language and communication needs (54 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Carlton Bolling?
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 Carlton Bolling?
Through Bradford 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 Carlton Bolling?
You can ask for Carlton Bolling 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 Carlton Bolling 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 Midland Road Nursery School, about 0.9 miles away.
Where is Carlton Bolling?
Undercliffe Lane, Bradford, BD3 0DU, in Bradford.
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.