Christ Church, Church of England Infant School, Downend is a mainstream primary school in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, for children aged 5 to 7. In January 2026, 30 of its 225 pupils (13.3%) were getting SEN support and 3 (1.3%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 5–7
- 225 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in South Gloucestershire.
13.3% get SEN support
30 of 225 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
1.3% have an EHC plan
3 of 225 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication14
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
- Voluntary controlled school
- Ages
- 5 to 7
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 225 (places for 225)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Anna Martin (Co-Headteacher)
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 5.8% of pupils eligible
- Council
- South Gloucestershire
- School reference (URN)
- 109166
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 South Gloucestershire 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 Good, November 2023; school remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (September 2022)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in November 2023.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentOutstanding
- Leadership and managementGood
- Early yearsGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (ungraded inspection, September 2022).
Contact and getting there
Christchurch Avenue, Downend, Bristol, BS16 5TG
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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
- Elmtree Grove School Ltd Independent · Ages 4–12 · Ofsted report card (2026) 0.4 miles
- Briarwood School Special school · Ages 3–19 0.8 miles
- Fishponds CofE Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.1 miles
- Blackhorse Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted report card (2025) 1.2 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Christ Church, Church of England Junior School, Downend Primary · Ages 7–11 · SEN support 17.6%, EHC plans 3.7% 0.2 miles
- Staple Hill Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 11.7%, EHC plans 6.4% 0.4 miles
- Frome Vale Academy Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 17.2%, EHC plans 5.4% 0.5 miles
All mainstream schools in South Gloucestershire SEND schools in South Gloucestershire
Questions about Christ Church, Church of England Infant School, Downend
How many pupils at Christ Church, Church of England Infant School, Downend have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 30 of the 225 pupils (13.3%) were getting SEN support and 3 (1.3%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Christ Church, Church of England Infant School, Downend?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (14 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Christ Church, Church of England Infant School, Downend?
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 Christ Church, Church of England Infant School, Downend?
Through South Gloucestershire 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 Christ Church, Church of England Infant School, Downend?
You can ask for Christ Church, Church of England Infant School, Downend 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 Christ Church, Church of England Infant School, Downend 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 Fishponds CofE Primary School, about 1.1 miles away.
Where is Christ Church, Church of England Infant School, Downend?
Christchurch Avenue, Downend, Bristol, BS16 5TG, in South Gloucestershire.
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.