High Well School

High Well School is performing well, continuing to be recognized as a good school with a strong commitment to preparing pupils for their futures. The dedicated and knowledgeable staff ensure that all pupils, each with special educational needs, receive appropriate support tailored to their EHC plans. The curriculum is generally effective, with a focus on reading and personal development, allowing pupils to engage positively with their education. However, there are some areas that require attention, particularly in the sequencing of lessons across subjects and the need for fostering a more inclusive understanding of diverse cultures and backgrounds among pupils.

Strengths

• High expectations set by leaders for all pupils.
• Effective support from staff in managing behavior.
• Strong emphasis on reading and improving literacy skills.
• A well-structured 'preparing for positive futures' curriculum.
• Pupils feel safe and supported in school.

Areas for Improvement

• Curriculum planning lacks clarity and connections between subjects.
• Pupils do not have a secure knowledge of different faiths, cultures, and backgrounds.

In 2024–25 pupils at High Well School attended 54.1% of sessions (the national figure for special schools was 87.2%). 79.2% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 35.3%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 46.6% of pupils at High Well School were suspended at least once (nationally 5.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 High Well School had 5.1 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for special schools was 6.6). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 30.8% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 14.5%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26 High Well School had 104 pupils, 100.0% of them with an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 99.5%).

It says it provides for: specific learning difficulty; moderate learning difficulty; social, emotional and mental health; speech, language and communication needs.

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded special school schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 High Well School received £29,876 and spent £35,202 for each of its 105 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £258,000 (£2,455 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Pontefract · Wakefield local authority: places and applications

What is High Well School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for High Well School is Good, from an inspection in November 2022.

When was High Well School last inspected by Ofsted?

High Well School was last inspected in November 2022.

How many pupils does High Well School have?

High Well School has 104 pupils on roll.

What age range does High Well School cover?

High Well School for pupils aged 9 to 16.

Where is High Well School?

High Well School is at Rookhill Road, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 2DD.