Robert Arkenstall Primary School is a mainstream primary school in Ely, Cambridgeshire, for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 32 of its 269 pupils (11.9%) were getting SEN support and 3 (1.1%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–11
- 269 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Cambridgeshire.
11.9% get SEN support
32 of 269 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
1.1% have an EHC plan
3 of 269 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia9
- Social, emotional and mental health8
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
- 269 (places for 300)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Kate Bonney
- Free school meals
- 17.1% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Cambridgeshire
- School reference (URN)
- 110635
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 Cambridgeshire 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 2012; school remains Good (May 2022)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in November 2012. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, May 2022).
Contact and getting there
Camping Close, High Street, Ely, CB6 3UA
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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 Harbour School Special school · Ages 5–16 · Ofsted: Requires improvement 1.4 miles
- Witchford Village College Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 3.5 miles
- The Centre School Special school · Ages 11–19 · Ofsted: Good 5.1 miles
- Spring Meadow Infant School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–7 · Ofsted: Good 6.5 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Wilburton CofE Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 29.9%, EHC plans 6.8% 1.1 miles
- Sutton CofE VC Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 16.6%, EHC plans 5.5% 2.7 miles
- Stretham Community Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 15.1%, EHC plans 2.7% 3.1 miles
All mainstream schools in Cambridgeshire SEND schools in Cambridgeshire
Questions about Robert Arkenstall Primary School
How many pupils at Robert Arkenstall Primary School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 32 of the 269 pupils (11.9%) were getting SEN support and 3 (1.1%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Robert Arkenstall Primary School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (9 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (8 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Robert Arkenstall 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 Robert Arkenstall Primary School?
Through Cambridgeshire 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 Robert Arkenstall Primary School?
You can ask for Robert Arkenstall 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 Robert Arkenstall 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 Witchford Village College, about 3.5 miles away.
Where is Robert Arkenstall Primary School?
Camping Close, High Street, Ely, CB6 3UA, in Cambridgeshire.
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.