Grindon Infant School is a mainstream primary school in Sunderland for children aged 2 to 7. In January 2026, 39 of its 163 pupils (23.9%) were getting SEN support and 1 (0.6%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 2–7
- 163 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Sunderland.
23.9% get SEN support
39 of 163 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
0.6% have an EHC plan
1 of 163 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication17
- Moderate learning difficulty9
- Autism7
- Social, emotional and mental health6
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
- 2 to 7
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 163 (places for 232)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Andrea Charlton
- Free school meals
- 41.2% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Sunderland
- School reference (URN)
- 108766
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 Sunderland 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
Report card, January 2026: Expected standard in 6 of 7 areas
Inspected in January 2026 under Ofsted’s new report cards, which grade each area separately, from Exceptional to Urgent improvement, instead of one overall grade.
- InclusionExpected standard
- Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
- AchievementNeeds attention
- Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
- Early yearsExpected standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
- SafeguardingMet
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, November 2021).
Contact and getting there
Gleneagles Road, Sunderland, SR4 9QN
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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
- Academy 360 Mainstream + base · Ages 4–16 · Ofsted: Good 0.6 miles
- Thorney Close Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.8 miles
- North View Academy Special school · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.2 miles
- Thornhill Park School Independent · Ages 4–19 · Ofsted report card (2026) 1.4 miles
Other mainstream schools
- St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School, Sunderland Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 21.7%, EHC plans 0.8% 0.6 miles
- Christ's College All-through · Ages 4–18 · SEN support 13.6%, EHC plans 1.6% 0.7 miles
- Sandhill View Academy Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 31.4%, EHC plans 3.6% 0.7 miles
All mainstream schools in Sunderland SEND schools in Sunderland
Questions about Grindon Infant School
How many pupils at Grindon Infant School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 39 of the 163 pupils (23.9%) were getting SEN support and 1 (0.6%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Grindon Infant School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (17 pupils), moderate learning difficulties (9 pupils) and autism (7 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Grindon Infant 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 Grindon Infant School?
Through Sunderland 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 Grindon Infant School?
You can ask for Grindon Infant 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 Grindon Infant 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 Academy 360, about 0.6 miles away.
Where is Grindon Infant School?
Gleneagles Road, Sunderland, SR4 9QN, in Sunderland.
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.