Crab Lane Primary School is a mainstream primary school in Manchester for children aged 3 to 11. In January 2026, 61 of its 412 pupils (14.8%) were getting SEN support and 15 (3.6%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 3–11
- 412 pupils
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Manchester.
14.8% get SEN support
61 of 412 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
3.6% have an EHC plan
15 of 412 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication42
- Social, emotional and mental health15
- Moderate learning difficulty6
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 primary school
- Run as
- Council-run school
- Ages
- 3 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 412 (places for 472)
- Headteacher
- Mr Philip Hughes
- Free school meals
- 62.3% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Manchester
- School reference (URN)
- 105465
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 Manchester 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
Graded by area, October 2024
Inspected in October 2024. Inspections from September 2024 to November 2025 graded each area but gave no overall grade.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- Early yearsGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Crab Lane, Higher Blackley, Manchester, M9 8NB
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
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The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Prospect House Specialist Support Primary School Special school · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.2 miles
- Pike Fold Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.6 miles
- Bowker Vale Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.6 miles
- North Ridge High School Special school · Ages 11–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.7 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Co-op Academy Manchester Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 22.9%, EHC plans 3.5% 0.4 miles
- St Clare's RC Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 12%, EHC plans 5% 0.4 miles
- Our Lady's RC High School Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 13.3%, EHC plans 4.8% 0.7 miles
All mainstream schools in Manchester SEND schools in Manchester
Questions about Crab Lane Primary School
How many pupils at Crab Lane Primary School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 61 of the 412 pupils (14.8%) were getting SEN support and 15 (3.6%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Crab Lane Primary School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (42 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (15 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (6 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Crab Lane Primary 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 Crab Lane Primary School?
Through Manchester 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 Crab Lane Primary School?
You can ask for Crab Lane Primary 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 Crab Lane Primary 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 Pike Fold Primary School, about 0.6 miles away.
Where is Crab Lane Primary School?
Crab Lane, Higher Blackley, Manchester, M9 8NB, in Manchester.
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.