The Willink School is a mainstream secondary school in Reading, West Berkshire, for children and young people aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 197 of its 1,205 pupils (16.3%) were getting SEN support and 56 (4.6%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 1,205 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in West Berkshire.
16.3% get SEN support
197 of 1,205 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
4.6% have an EHC plan
56 of 1,205 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism93
- Social, emotional and mental health45
- Moderate learning difficulty40
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia28
- Speech, language and communication22
- Hearing impairment11
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 secondary school
- Run as
- Council-run school
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,205 (places for 995)
- Headteacher
- Ms N Browning
- Free school meals
- 12.1% of pupils eligible
- Council
- West Berkshire
- School reference (URN)
- 110048
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
Report card, May 2026: Expected standard in every area
Inspected in May 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
- AchievementExpected standard
- Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
- Post-16Expected standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
- SafeguardingMet
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, October 2023).
Contact and getting there
School Lane, Burghfield Common, Reading, RG7 3XJ
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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 Mile House Therapeutic School Independent · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Requires improvement 2.4 miles
- Haywards Farm School Independent · Ages 6–14 · Ofsted: Outstanding 2.5 miles
- Theale Green School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted report card (2026) 2.9 miles
- Theale C.E. Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 2.9 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Mrs Bland's Infant School Primary · Ages 2–7 · SEN support 14.4%, EHC plans 2.8% 0.1 miles
- Garland Junior School Primary · Ages 7–11 · SEN support 23.8%, EHC plans 4.9% 0.5 miles
- Sulhamstead and Ufton Nervet School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 11.7%, EHC plans 3.2% 1.3 miles
All mainstream schools in West Berkshire SEND schools in West Berkshire
Questions about The Willink School
How many pupils at The Willink School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 197 of the 1,205 pupils (16.3%) were getting SEN support and 56 (4.6%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at The Willink School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (93 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (45 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (40 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at The Willink 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 The Willink 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 The Willink School?
You can ask for The Willink 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 The Willink 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 Theale Green School, about 2.9 miles away.
Where is The Willink School?
School Lane, Burghfield Common, Reading, RG7 3XJ, 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.