Leeds Arts University, Leeds
Leeds Arts University is a school for pupils aged 16 to 99 in Leeds.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Leeds Arts University in detail
Leeds Arts University in its own words
In its own words: "Students in the Anatomy Class c. 1907. Photograph taken by Fred Lawson. The Vernon Street Ramblers jazz band in 1949. Photograph courtesy of Michael Westmoreland. Leeds Arts University has made a significant contribution to arts education in the UK."
Vision and values (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Leeds Rail Station, about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.
12 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Leeds University, 60 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 1234 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Leeds (229), as is usual near a town centre.
Sources: NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's December 2024 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Leeds Arts University excels at helping creative students thrive in well-resourced studios with expert tutors who combine teaching with their own professional practice. Students build confidence and resilience through constructive feedback and real industry experience, preparing them for higher study or careers in the creative sector. The university creates an inclusive, supportive community where students can develop both their artistic talents and vital employability skills.
Key Strengths
- Students develop professional portfolios and gain real-world experience through industry placements and client commissions
- Tutors expertly teach creative skills across fashion, graphics, ceramics and other disciplines using specialist knowledge
- Personal development is woven throughout the curriculum with projects on health, British values and social responsibility
- Staff provide highly individualised support for students with additional needs using neurodiversity training
- Almost all students achieve their qualification and progress to prestigious universities or employment
Areas for Improvement
- Improve attendance and punctuality for students who are repeatedly absent or frequently arrive late
- Address instances of students talking over others in lessons, which prevents them from benefiting from tutor and guest speaker input
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with students feeling safe and receiving guidance on staying safe online and off-campus.
Extracurricular Activities
Photography studios, visits to automation sculptor studios, visits to libraries and art galleries, work experience at local markets and pop-up shops, employer-set briefs and client commissions, conscious creator projects
Leeds Arts University is a specialist creative arts university with two campuses in Leeds offering level 3 courses in creative practice and art and design. The university was rated as Good overall, with Outstanding ratings for the quality of education and personal development.
About
Leeds Arts University is a specialist arts further and higher education institution, based in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, with a main campus opposite the University of Leeds.
From Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Keep up with Leeds Arts University
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 45
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 14
- Children hurt
- 2
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 45 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 14 serious and 31 slight.
2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise.
6 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 Leeds is 18.5 (the median across 308 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
Across Leeds council
Places available
10,015
Applications
9,313
Got 1st preference
83.2%
Got preferred school
95.4%
All secondary applications across Leeds council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(7)
Questions parents ask about Leeds Arts University
What is the catchment area for Leeds Arts University?
No fixed boundary. When Leeds Arts University is oversubscribed, Leeds allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How do I apply to Leeds Arts University?
Apply through Leeds's coordinated admissions process, naming Leeds Arts University on your application. The national closing date in England is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.
How many road collisions happen near Leeds Arts University?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 45 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 14 serious and 31 slight. 2 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 1 on foot and 1 in a vehicle or otherwise. 6 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 Leeds is 18.5 (the median across 308 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Leeds Arts University?
Leeds Arts University is at Blenheim Walk, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 9AQ.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)