Highbury Fields School is a mainstream secondary school in Islington, London, for girls aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 131 of its 733 pupils (17.9%) were getting SEN support and 15 (2%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 733 pupils
- Girls only
- Ofsted: Outstanding
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Islington.
17.9% get SEN support
131 of 733 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
2% have an EHC plan
15 of 733 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia32
- Moderate learning difficulty27
- Autism25
- Social, emotional and mental health22
- Speech, language and communication22
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream secondary school
- Run as
- Council-run school
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Girls only
- Pupils
- 733 (places for 1,050)
- Headteacher
- Mr Tim Fox
- Free school meals
- 51.3% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Islington
- School reference (URN)
- 100455
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Islington council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Rated Outstanding, October 2016; school remains Outstanding (September 2022)
Rated Outstanding at its last graded inspection, in October 2016. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementOutstanding
- Sixth formOutstanding
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: School remains Outstanding (ungraded inspection, September 2022).
Contact and getting there
Highbury Hill, London, N5 1AR
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Samuel Rhodes MLD School Special school · Ages 11–19 · Ofsted report card (2026) 0.3 miles
- The Courtyard Islington Special school · Ages 13–19 · Ofsted: Good 0.4 miles
- Laycock Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.6 miles
- The Excelsior Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 1.3 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Drayton Park Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 13.4%, EHC plans 6.9% 0.2 miles
- City of London Academy Highbury Grove Secondary · Ages 11–18 · SEN support 15.8%, EHC plans 4.5% 0.3 miles
- St Joan of Arc RC Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 17.8%, EHC plans 4% 0.4 miles
All mainstream schools in Islington SEND schools in Islington
Questions about Highbury Fields School
How many pupils at Highbury Fields School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 131 of the 733 pupils (17.9%) were getting SEN support and 15 (2%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Highbury Fields School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (32 pupils), moderate learning difficulties (27 pupils) and autism (25 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Highbury Fields School?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at Highbury Fields School?
Through Islington council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to Highbury Fields School?
You can ask for Highbury Fields School to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does Highbury Fields School have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is Laycock Primary School, about 0.6 miles away.
Where is Highbury Fields School?
Highbury Hill, London, N5 1AR, in Islington.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.