New specialist SEND provision opens at Oakfield Park School
Tuesday, July 07, 2026
A new modular unit at Oakfield Park School in Ackworth has opened. Creating additional specialist places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in the Wakefield district.
The provision, which welcomed pupils in April, includes four classrooms with dedicated sensory and breakout spaces and is currently supporting up to 18 children, with further places to be added from September.
“Creating more specialist places in our district is a key priority. This new provision at Oakfield Park will help more children access the support they need closer to home. Reducing the need to travel and helping families stay connected to their local community.
"It’s an important step in strengthening our local SEND offer and making sure we have the right support in place for children and young people.”
Cllr Matthew Caton
Cabinet Member for Children and Young People
Oakfield Park School is a maintained special school for pupils aged 11 to 19 with severe, complex and profound learning difficulties, including autism and additional needs.
This new modular unit forms part of ongoing work to increase capacity across the district. Alongside this, a satellite provision has also been developed at Penny Appeal, Thornes Park, helping to provide more local options for children and families.
This investment to improve existing specialist provision is part of a programme of work that broadens the existing offer to children and young people in the district.
Nicola Cryer, Headteacher at Oakfield Park School, said: “This new provision is already having a positive impact for our pupils. The additional space and specialist facilities allow us to better meet the needs of young people with a wide range of learning difficulties, supporting them to feel safe, settled and ready to learn.”
The development has been funded through the High Needs Capital Grant, alongside the Council’s SEND Sufficiency Programme, which is investing in specialist places and facilities across the district to meet growing demand for SEND provision.