Inspire Academy, York
Inspire Academy is a special school for pupils aged 11 to 16 in York.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
Inspire Academy in detail
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other special schools to Inspire Academy are Hob Moor Oaks Academy (0.4 miles, Good); and Applefields School (3.6 miles).
Who goes there
In 2026, 8 pupils (33.3%) received SEN support and 16 (66.7%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Rear Entrance, about 1.6 miles away in a straight line.
13 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is York High School (opposite), 100 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 298 crimes within a mile of the school, most often anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences and public order offences. That is well above the typical figure around schools in York (175), as is usual near a town centre.
Sources: DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's June 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Inspire Academy has thoughtfully designed a curriculum that combines academic rigor with personalised support for pupils with additional needs. The school benefits from experienced leadership and teachers trained in research-based teaching methods that check pupil understanding and adapt lessons accordingly. Parents can be confident the school prioritises both safeguarding and personal development, preparing pupils to become active, respectful citizens.
Key Strengths
- Broad and ambitious curriculum adapted to meet individual pupils' special educational needs
- Research-based teaching approach with trained secondary school teachers and subject specialists
- Strong safeguarding foundations with appropriate policies, trained designated leads, and rigorous systems
- Comprehensive support for pupils' personal development including spiritual, moral, social and cultural education
- Well-planned careers guidance, work experience, and visits to post-16 providers
Safeguarding
Effective - the school has established a strong culture of safeguarding with appropriate policies informed by statutory guidance, trained designated safeguarding leads, and planned rigorous reporting and recording systems.
Extracurricular Activities
Visits to places of cultural interest, work experience, visits to post-16 providers, physical education at local sports centre and partner academy school
Inspire Academy is a new independent special school in York designed to provide high-quality provision for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs and other special educational needs. The school is likely to meet all independent school standards when it opens.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 2 nearby schools
Keep up with Inspire Academy
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 13
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 3
- Children hurt
- 5
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 13 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 3 serious and 10 slight.
5 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot and 4 on a bicycle.
3 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in York is 12.5 (the median across 74 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
60%
Available places
24 pupils
40 places
16 spare places
as recorded on GIAS
Area Demand Pressure - York
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for York
Across York council
Places available
1,977
Applications
1,772
Got 1st preference
93.7%
Got preferred school
98.9%
All secondary applications across York council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
8
SEN Support
16
EHC Plans
100.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Inspire Academy is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Key Indicators
24
Total Pupils
12
Boys
12
Girls
2026 academic year
Feeder Primary Schools
Primary schools that likely feed into this school, based on proximity
Inspire Academy
Showing 10 of 13 linked schools
Questions parents ask about Inspire Academy
How many pupils go to Inspire Academy?
Inspire Academy has around 24 pupils on roll.
Does Inspire Academy have specialist SEN provision?
Inspire Academy is not approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
How do I apply to Inspire Academy?
Inspire Academy is an independent school and runs its own admissions rather than going through the local authority. Contact the school directly for entry requirements, assessment dates, fees and any bursaries.
How many road collisions happen near Inspire Academy?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 13 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 3 serious and 10 slight. 5 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot and 4 on a bicycle. 3 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in York is 12.5 (the median across 74 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Inspire Academy?
Inspire Academy is at Cornlands Road, Acomb, York, YO24 3WZ.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)