Downsway Primary School is a mainstream primary school in Reading, West Berkshire, for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 26 of its 213 pupils (12.2%) were getting SEN support and 10 (4.7%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–11
- 213 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in West Berkshire.
12.2% get SEN support
26 of 213 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
4.7% have an EHC plan
10 of 213 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism10
- Speech, language and communication7
- 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
- 4 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 213 (places for 216)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Katie Ayres
- Free school meals
- 6.6% of pupils eligible
- Council
- West Berkshire
- School reference (URN)
- 109896
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 West Berkshire 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, February 2013; school remains Good (April 2023)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in February 2013. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, April 2023).
Contact and getting there
Warbreck Drive, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 6FE
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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
- Brookfields School Special school · Ages 3–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.2 miles
- Westwood Farm Junior School Mainstream + base · Ages 7–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.4 miles
- Westwood Farm Infant School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–7 · Ofsted: Good 0.4 miles
- Thames Valley School Special school · Ages 4–16 · Ofsted: Good 1.6 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Denefield School Secondary · Ages 11–18 · SEN support 22.1%, EHC plans 2.6% 0.2 miles
- Long Lane Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 18.9%, EHC plans 3.8% 0.5 miles
- Purley CofE Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 36.5%, EHC plans 4.7% 0.8 miles
All mainstream schools in West Berkshire SEND schools in West Berkshire
Questions about Downsway Primary School
How many pupils at Downsway Primary School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 26 of the 213 pupils (12.2%) were getting SEN support and 10 (4.7%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Downsway Primary School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (10 pupils), speech, language and communication needs (7 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (6 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Downsway 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 Downsway Primary School?
Through West Berkshire 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 Downsway Primary School?
You can ask for Downsway 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 Downsway 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 Westwood Farm Junior School, about 0.4 miles away.
Where is Downsway Primary School?
Warbreck Drive, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 6FE, in West Berkshire.
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.