Yeadon Westfield Junior School

School and local authority details

School: Yeadon Westfield Junior School, New Road, Yeadon, Leeds, LS19 7HW

Age range: 7-11

Phase of education: Primary

School type: Foundation

Trust: Aireborough Learning Partnership Trust

Gender of entry: Mixed

School ID: URN: 107840, DfE number: 383/2324, UKPRN: 10073038

Local authority: Leeds City Council, Director of Children and Families, PO Box 837, Sufficiency and Participation Team, Children and Families, Leeds, LS1 9PZ

Implementation

The governing body of Yeadon Westfield Junior School is proposing to discontinue (close) the school with effect from 31 August 2026.

The proposed closure is part of a joint proposal from the governing bodies of Yeadon Westfield Infant and Junior Schools (which are maintained Foundation schools) to amalgamate the two schools into Yeadon Westfield Primary School (3-11 years) from 1 September 2026.

Reason for closure

The birth rate in Leeds has declined from 2017 onwards. City-wide births peaked at over 10,300 in 2012/13 following several years of sustained growth, however the latest births in 2024/25 were 8,498.

Yeadon Westfield Infant and Junior Schools sit within the Guiseley/Yeadon/Rawdon Primary Planning Area (PPA). Births across the PPA have fallen from a high of 402 in 2016/17 (Reception 2021 entry) to 258 in 2024/25 (Reception 2029 entry).

Both schools have lowered their Published Admission Numbers (PANs) in recent years. Yeadon Westfield Infant School lowered its PAN from 60 to 45 for Reception in 2024 and from 45 to 30 for Reception in 2026. Yeadon Westfield Junior School lowered its PAN from 60 to 45 for Year 3 in 2025 and from 45 to 30 for Year 3 in 2026.

Neither school is currently full and the falling birth rate in the area is impacting both schools, creating financial pressures and increased costs. Smaller schools can be disproportionately affected by budget pressures as they have a high proportion of fixed central and staffing costs. An amalgamated Yeadon Westfield Primary School would offer greater financial security for the school, providing stability for pupils, staff and the local community. 

The fundamental aim of both Yeadon Westfield Infant and Junior Schools’ governing bodies is to ensure the long-term delivery of high-quality education on the Yeadon Westfield site. Both schools were rated ‘good’ during their most recent Ofsted inspections, and by forming a single primary school they would be able to provide a more consistent approach to teaching and learning. This offers greater continuity of learning and consistency in assessment of pupils’ progress and attainment, including vulnerable pupils and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Bringing the schools together would support even better tracking of pupils, allowing staff to identify pupils who would benefit from interventions as early as possible.

Amalgamating the two schools would enable specific expertise and resources to be shared across the age ranges so that pupils working outside their own age range could benefit. There would also be longer-term relationships established across the school community. Staff would have greater opportunities to develop their expertise and experience across a wider age range, alongside sharing best practice and knowledge across the whole school.

With lower numbers of pupils in the area, both schools continue to face challenging budget positions which is putting the sustainability of both settings at risk. An amalgamated Yeadon Westfield Primary School would offer greater financial security for the school. There would be a restructured senior leadership team with a single head teacher. By September 2029, the proposed Yeadon Westfield Primary School would operate from one site resulting in a reduction in overall running costs. 

Should the proposed amalgamation go ahead, all current pupils in Yeadon Westfield Infant and Junior Schools would have a place at Yeadon Westfield Primary School. There would be no need for the parents/carers of the Infant School pupils to apply for a place in the Junior School for the start of Year 3. Whilst the Infant School pupils transition to the Junior School successfully, research shows that reducing the number of school moves a child experiences helps them to perform better. There would also be more consistent practical arrangements such as school uniform, opening evenings, school events and school closure days.

Pupil numbers and admissions

Yeadon Westfield Junior School is a mainstream school with 199 pupils on roll as of 20 March 2026. There are 48 pupils in Year 3, 54 pupils in Year 4, 56 pupils in Year 5 and 41 pupils in Year 6. 

The school’s age-range is 7-11 years. Provision is available for boys and girls. 

As at October 2025 census, there were 51 children who had Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support and 5 children with Education, Health and Care plans (EHCPs). As of 26 March 2026 there were 40 children who had SEND support, fewer than 5 children with final EHCPs, fewer than 5 children with draft EHCPs, and 6 children awaiting an Education and Health Care Needs Assessment.

Over recent years, pupil numbers at Yeadon Westfield Junior School have declined. At October 2020 census, there were a total of 228 children on roll. By October 2025 census, there were 200 on roll. 49 pupils were offered places in Year 3 for a September 2025 entry. This number is expected to be 32 for Year 3 for September 2026 entry. In response to the lower numbers entering the school in Year 3, Yeadon Westfield Junior School has lowered its PAN twice - from 60 to 45 for Year 3 in 2025 and from 45 to 30 for Year 3 in 2026.

Displaced pupils

Should the proposed closure of Yeadon Westfield Junior School go ahead, all current pupils in both the Infant and Junior Schools would have a place at Yeadon Westfield Primary School. None of the pupils would be required to apply for a place at the amalgamated school. Both school buildings would be used for teaching for the first few years, before all children move into the Junior School building as a one form entry primary school by September 2029.

Impact on the community

The main objective of both Yeadon Westfield Infant and Junior Schools’ governing bodies is to ensure the long-term delivery of high-quality education on the Yeadon Westfield site. Both schools were rated ‘good’ during their most recent Ofsted inspections, and by forming a single primary school they would be able to provide a more consistent approach to teaching and learning. This offers greater continuity of learning and consistency in assessment of pupils’ progress and attainment, including vulnerable pupils and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Bringing the schools together would support even better tracking of pupils, allowing staff to identify pupils who would benefit from interventions as early as possible.

Amalgamating the two schools would enable specific expertise and resources to be shared across the age ranges so that pupils working outside their own age range could benefit. There would also be longer-term relationships established across the school community. Staff would have greater opportunities to develop their expertise and experience across a wider age range, alongside sharing best practice and knowledge across the whole school.

With lower numbers of pupils in the area, both schools continue to face challenging budget positions which is putting the sustainability of both settings at risk. An amalgamated Yeadon Westfield Primary School would offer greater financial security for the school, providing stability for pupils, staff and the local community.

The new school would have a single head teacher as part of a restructured senior leadership team. All teaching, support and ancillary staff would have roles in the new school.

Both school buildings would be used for teaching for the first few years, before all children move into the Junior School building as a one form entry primary school by September 2029. 

Should the proposed amalgamation go ahead, all current pupils in Yeadon Westfield Infant and Junior Schools would have a place at Yeadon Westfield Primary School. There would be no need for the parents/carers of the Infant School pupils to apply for a place in the Junior School for the start of Year 3. Whilst the Infant School pupils transition to the Junior School successfully, research shows that reducing the number of school moves a child experiences helps them to perform better. There would also be more consistent practical arrangements such as school uniform, opening evenings, school events and school closure days.

Rural primary schools

Not applicable

Balance of denominational provision

Not applicable

Maintained nursery schools

Not applicable

Sixth form provision

Not applicable

Special educational needs provision

Yeadon Westfield Junior School is a mainstream school and places are not reserved for pupils with special educational needs.

Travel

Should the proposed closure of Yeadon Westfield Junior School go ahead, all current pupils in both the Infant and Junior Schools would have a place at Yeadon Westfield Primary School. Both school buildings would be used for teaching for the first few years and therefore initially there would be no changes to travel arrangements for Junior or Infant School pupils. All children would move into the Junior School building as a one form entry primary school by September 2029. The schools are located 0.134 miles from each other (straight line distance) and they share a common boundary. Should the amalgamation go ahead, travel would be reduced for families where siblings are attending in both Key Stages 1 and 2.

Support, objections and comments

Within four weeks of the date of publication of this proposal, i.e. by 4pm on 17 May 2026 any person may submit comments, support or objections on the proposal to PO Box 837, Sufficiency and Participation Team, Children and Families, Leeds, LS1 9PZ or by email to educ.school.organisation@leeds.gov.uk.