Southill Lower School is a mainstream primary school in Biggleswade, Central Bedfordshire, for children aged 3 to 9. In January 2026, 7 of its 78 pupils (9%) were getting SEN support and 5 (6.4%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 3–9
- 78 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2025)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Central Bedfordshire.
9% get SEN support
7 of 78 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
6.4% have an EHC plan
5 of 78 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
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 9
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 78 (places for 75)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Sonya Read
- Free school meals
- 16.2% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Central Bedfordshire
- School reference (URN)
- 109481
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 Central Bedfordshire 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, November 2025: Strong standard in 6 of 7 areas
Inspected in November 2025 under Ofsted’s new report cards, which grade each area separately, from Exceptional to Urgent improvement, instead of one overall grade.
- InclusionStrong standard
- Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
- AchievementStrong standard
- Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
- Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
- Early yearsExpected standard
- Leadership and governanceStrong standard
- SafeguardingMet
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, July 2021).
Contact and getting there
School Lane, Southill, Biggleswade, SG18 9JA
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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 Whitbread Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 13–18 · Ofsted: Good 1.9 miles
- Shefford Lower School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–9 · Ofsted: Good 2.2 miles
- Ivel Valley School & College Special school · Ages 3–19 · Ofsted: Good 3.6 miles
- Esland Bedford School Independent · Ages 8–18 5.3 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Robert Bloomfield Academy Middle · Ages 9–13 · SEN support 12.5%, EHC plans 4.6% 2.1 miles
- Clifton All Saints Academy Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 11.8%, EHC plans 3.9% 2.2 miles
- Langford Village Academy Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 12.2%, EHC plans 3.7% 2.3 miles
All mainstream schools in Central Bedfordshire SEND schools in Central Bedfordshire
Questions about Southill Lower School
How many pupils at Southill Lower School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 7 of the 78 pupils (9%) were getting SEN support and 5 (6.4%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Southill Lower 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 Southill Lower School?
Through Central Bedfordshire 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 Southill Lower School?
You can ask for Southill Lower 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 Southill Lower 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 Samuel Whitbread Academy, about 1.9 miles away.
Where is Southill Lower School?
School Lane, Southill, Biggleswade, SG18 9JA, in Central Bedfordshire.
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.