Skelmanthorpe Academy, Huddersfield
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Location
Estimated admission likelihood based on school density and oversubscription data
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Overall
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Skelmanthorpe Academy creates a calm, purposeful learning environment where children thrive. The school excels at teaching reading from the start of Reception, with expert staff ensuring all pupils develop fluency. Parents can be confident their child will learn about different cultures, stay safe both locally and online, and develop respect for others.
Key Strengths
- Strong focus on reading with early phonics teaching and expert support for struggling readers - pupils read fluently and enjoy a diverse range of books
- Well-designed curriculum with sequenced knowledge building, particularly effective in mathematics where pupils build number fluency before tackling complex problems
- Excellent provision for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) - school works well with external professionals and pupils achieve well from their starting points
- Strong work on preparing pupils for life in modern Britain through visitors, community learning, and teaching about different cultures and faiths
- Positive behaviour and respect among pupils, with older pupils modelling good behaviour to younger ones
Areas for Improvement
- Some learning activities in early years outdoor provision are not well enough designed to promote learning effectively
- Assessment in foundation subjects (non-core subjects) occasionally lacks precision, meaning some pupils develop gaps in knowledge or misconceptions that slow their progress
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective with strong systems in place to keep pupils safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Drama club, ukulele, eco-art club, range of sports
Skelmanthorpe Academy is a happy, welcoming school where pupils respond well to high expectations and achieve well overall. The school has maintained good standards despite significant staff changes since the previous inspection.
At a Glance
11.6%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
27 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree
Class Sizes
23.2
Avg class size
16.7
Infant (KS1)
33.0
KS2
5
Total classes
2 classes with more than 30 pupils
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
69%
Available places
124 pupils
180 capacity
56 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Huddersfield
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Huddersfield
Admissions Demand - Kirklees
Places available
5,606
Applications
4,584
Got 1st preference
93.6%
Got preferred school
99.0%
Primary admissions across Kirklees (2025/26)
Inspection History(103)
House Prices
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SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
2.92116%
Overall absence
4.6729%
Persistent absence
107
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
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Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Skelmanthorpe Academy
Nearby Schools
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