Royds School Specialist Language College is situated on the southeastern edge of the outer Leeds area, 500m from junction 30 on the M62 motorway. There is easy access from the immediate vicinity of the school to the shopping centres of Leeds, Wakefield, Bradford and Sheffield, not to mention the beautiful countryside of the Yorkshire Dales. The school is within an hour of the cities of West Yorkshire, as well as Harrogate to the north, York to the east, and Sheffield to the south. Housing in the area is plentiful, and reasonably priced, and there are many good primary schools in the locality. In short, the area and its environs offer an exceptionally high quality of life.

The school traditionally serves the communities of Rothwell, Oulton, Woodlesford, and Methley. Recently however, students have increasingly been attracted from farther afield, particularly from the outer edges of Wakefield, Castleford and Leeds itself.

At one time, the community relied heavily on the coal and other traditional industries for employment. These industries have all but disappeared and the area has attracted a variety of light and high-tech industries to the business parks spaced along the M62 corridor. Easy access to the M62 and M1 motorways has led to the building of much private accommodation locally. The recent development of the A1/M1 link road has also led to huge growth in the business potential of the area. As a result, the area has become home for many people working in the cities of Leeds, Wakefield and further afield.

Royds School began its life in 1955 as Rothwell County Secondary School within the old West Riding of Yorkshire. It has since grown considerably with new buildings added in the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s. The most recent addition being a Performing Arts suite in 2005. In 1974 it became a mixed 11 - 18 comprehensive school. Currently the school has a population of 1200 students including 140 in the Sixth Form. There are 86 teaching staff, and a complement of 61 support, administrative and site maintenance staff. The school has a budget of over £5 million.

Royds School is a successful school with improving examination outcomes and a growing reputation in Languages, Sport, and Performing Arts. We are now in our ninth year as a Language College and continue to focus on language learning, global and international dimension work in school and the Family of Schools. Year 11 students achieved 81% 5 A* - C in summer 2011 – the best ever results for the school. 52% achieved 5 A* - C including English and Maths.