Cold Ash St Mark's CE Primary School is a mainstream primary school in Thatcham, West Berkshire, for children aged 5 to 11. In January 2026, 24 of its 195 pupils (12.3%) were getting SEN support and 4 (2.1%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 5–11
- 195 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in West Berkshire.
12.3% get SEN support
24 of 195 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
2.1% have an EHC plan
4 of 195 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism12
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia10
- Social, emotional and mental health5
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 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 195 (places for 210)
- Headteacher
- Mr Mitch Warrender
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 2.1% of pupils eligible
- Council
- West Berkshire
- School reference (URN)
- 109958
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, November 2014; school remains Good (March 2024)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in November 2014. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
- Early yearsGood
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, March 2024).
Contact and getting there
Cold Ash Hill, Cold Ash, Thatcham, RG18 9PT
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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
- The Grange School Independent · Ages 7–16 · Ofsted: Outstanding 1.8 miles
- Fir Tree Primary School and Nursery Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.9 miles
- Kennet School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 1.9 miles
- Engaging Potential Independent · Ages 13–19 · Ofsted: Good 2.0 miles
Other mainstream schools
- St Finian's Catholic Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 12.3%, EHC plans 4.9% 0.5 miles
- Whitelands Park Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 12.1%, EHC plans 3.2% 1.3 miles
- Thatcham Park CofE Primary Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 17.3%, EHC plans 2.5% 1.4 miles
All mainstream schools in West Berkshire SEND schools in West Berkshire
Questions about Cold Ash St Mark's CE Primary School
How many pupils at Cold Ash St Mark's CE Primary School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 24 of the 195 pupils (12.3%) were getting SEN support and 4 (2.1%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Cold Ash St Mark's CE Primary School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (12 pupils), dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (10 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (5 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Cold Ash St Mark's CE 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 Cold Ash St Mark's CE 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 Cold Ash St Mark's CE Primary School?
You can ask for Cold Ash St Mark's CE 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 Cold Ash St Mark's CE 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 Fir Tree Primary School and Nursery, about 1.9 miles away.
Where is Cold Ash St Mark's CE Primary School?
Cold Ash Hill, Cold Ash, Thatcham, RG18 9PT, 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.