Balance Alternative Provision
| Type | Independent School / Other independent special school |
| Age Range | 11-16 |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Address | The White Building Lock Hill Ferrybridge Knottingley West Yorkshire WF11 8NE |
| Phone | 07930033667 |
| Reference Number | 150171 |
Balance Alternative Provision is performing well overall, achieving a 'Good' rating in all inspected areas. As the school's first inspection since its registration in February 2024, it has shown that it is effective in meeting the diverse needs of its pupils, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities. The staff demonstrate genuine care for the students, fostering positive relationships that help nurture both their academic and personal growth. The school has implemented a well-structured curriculum that supports pupils' transitions back to mainstream education, highlighting its commitment to preparing them for future success.
General Makeup
| Number of pupils | 26 |
| Boy/Girl ratio |
Boys: 61.54%
Girls: 38.46% |
| Percentage of students eligible for free school meals | 0% |
| Percentage of students where English is not their first language | 100% |
Year Groups
| Year | Boys | Girls | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 8 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 9 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 10 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
| 11 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Ethnicities
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|
| Overall Ofsted Rating | Good |
| Last Report Date | 11 Mar 2025 |
| Date | Report |
|---|---|
| 11 Mar 2025 | Standard inspection: |
| 25 Oct 2023 | Pre-registration inspection |
| Proposed to open |
Strengths
- Pupils enjoy their time at the school and benefit from strong relationships with staff.
- The school has high aspirations for pupil achievement and encourages hard work.
- Effective behaviour management strategies help pupils regulate their own behaviour.
- The curriculum in English and mathematics builds knowledge logically and coherently.
- The school prioritises reading and supports pupils to become confident readers.
- Personal development programs are age-appropriate and cover essential life skills.
Areas for Improvement
- The cross-curricular 'inspire curriculum' lacks a coherent and progressive body of disciplinary subject knowledge.
- Key stage 3 teachers sometimes do not check pupils' understanding rigorously before moving on.
| Name | Distance |
|
The Vale Primary Academy
Ferrybridge Road, Knottingley, West Yorkshire, WF11 8JF |
0.42 miles |
|
Willow Green Academy
Hampden Close, Knottingley, WF11 8PT |
0.53 miles |
|
Brotherton and Byram Community Primary Academy
Low Street, Brotherton, Knottingley, West Yorkshire, WF11 9HQ |
0.6 miles |
|
Simpson's Lane Academy
Sycamore Avenue, Knottingley, WF11 0PJ |
0.88 miles |
|
St Botolphs CE Academy
Primrose Vale, Wakefield, Knottingley, West Yorkshire, WF11 9BT |
1.17 miles |
|
England Lane Academy
England Lane, Knottingley, West Yorkshire, WF11 0JA |
1.18 miles |
|
Orchard Head Junior and Infant and Nursery School
Orchard Head Lane, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 2NJ |
1.4 miles |
|
Holy Family and St Michael's Catholic Primary School, A Voluntary Academy
Cobblers Lane, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 2HN |
1.7 miles |
|
Cherry Tree Academy
Cobblers Lane, Pontefract, WF8 2HN |
1.74 miles |
|
Oyster Park Primary Academy
Watling Road, Ferry Fryston, Oyster Park Primary Academy, Castleford, West Yorkshire, WF10 3SN |
1.86 miles |
|
Burton Salmon Community Primary School
Burton Salmon, Ledgate Lane, Leeds, North Yorkshire, LS25 5JY |
1.92 miles |
|
Harewood Centre Nursery School
Harewood Avenue, Pontefract, WF8 2ER |
2.01 miles |
|
De Lacy Primary School
Chequerfield Lane, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 2TG |
2.07 miles |
|
Airedale Junior Academy
Fryston Road, Airedale, 23, Castleford, West Yorkshire, WF10 3EP |
2.11 miles |
|
Fairburn View Primary School, Castleford
Stansfield Drive, Castleford, WF10 3DB |
2.11 miles |
|
Airedale Infant Academy
Poplar Avenue, Airedale, Airedale Junior School, Castleford, WF10 3QJ |
2.12 miles |
|
Townville Academy
Poplar Avenue, Townville, Castleford, West Yorkshire, WF10 3QJ |
2.12 miles |
|
St Giles C of E Academy
St Giles C of E Academy, Skinner Lane, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 1HG |
2.22 miles |
|
Fairburn Community Primary School
Great North Road, Fairburn, Knottingley, West Yorkshire, WF11 9JY |
2.26 miles |
|
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Pontefract
Newgate, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 4AA |
2.58 miles |
| Name | Distance |
|
De Lacy Academy
Middle Lane, Knottingley, West Yorkshire, WF11 0BZ |
1.24 miles |
|
Airedale Academy
Crewe Road, Airedale, Castleford, West Yorkshire, WF10 3JU |
1.89 miles |
|
High Well School
Rookhill Road, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 2DD |
2.15 miles |
|
New College Pontefract
Park Lane, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 4QR |
2.77 miles |
|
The King's School
Mill Hill Lane, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 4JF |
2.87 miles |
|
Carleton High School
Green Lane, Carleton, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF8 3NW |
2.93 miles |
|
Castleford Academy
Ferrybridge Road, Castleford, West Yorkshire, WF10 4JQ |
3.18 miles |
|
St Wilfrid's Catholic High School & Sixth Form College: A Voluntary Academy
Cutsyke Road, Featherstone, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF7 6BD |
4.02 miles |
|
The Featherstone Academy
Pontefract Road, Featherstone, Pontefract, West Yorkshire, WF7 5AJ |
4.05 miles |
|
The Grange School
Methley Rd, Castleford, WF10 1PN |
4.42 miles |