Co-op Academy Brierley, Leeds

Ofsted's report card from its 19 May 2026 inspection grades Co-op Academy Brierley on 7 areas: 4 strong standard and 3 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Since the school opened, attendance has consistently improved."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Leaders have created a highly inclusive culture where pupils' needs are identified quickly and accurately."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "The school has grown rapidly since opening, with many new pupils and staff joining in a short space of time."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Personal development is a defining feature of the school."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils are typically accessing the curriculum successfully."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed an ambitious, well-sequenced curriculum across four distinct pathways."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders ensure children have a positive start to school life."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that staff consistently prioritise the most important knowledge that pupils need to learn which embeds pupils' prior knowledge enabling them to build their understanding securely"; "Leaders should ensure that staff have the knowledge and expertise to identify and address gaps in pupils' knowledge promptly and consistently so that pupils develop detailed knowledge and skills and produce high quality work".

From the headteacher's welcome: "I have had the great pleasure and privilege of working with children and young people in Leeds for almost 30 years. I have worked in a variety of settings and communities, leading schools and developing specialist behaviour settings and provision for children with SEND."

Coming up: an open day on Thursday 8 July 2027 at 9.30am. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

The nearest other special schools to Co-op Academy Brierley are Cockburn Reach Academy (1.3 miles), Fountain House Education Suite (1.7 miles), The Pivot Academy LS East (1.7 miles) and Swarthmore Education Centre (1.9 miles).

Co-op Academy Brierley is one of 40 schools run by The Co-Operative Academies Trust, an academy trust.

47.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 31% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (51%), Black (17%) and Asian (13%).

Almost every pupil at Co-op Academy Brierley has an education, health and care plan (248 of 248 in 2026). The most common need among them is autism.

The nearest railway station is Leeds Rail Station, about 1.4 miles away in a straight line.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Brierley Academy, 80 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Co-op Academy Brierley stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 363 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson and vehicle crime. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Leeds (229), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Co-op Academy Brierley issued 2 suspensions, 1.4 for every 100 pupils, and no permanent exclusions.