Bishops Tawton Primary School is a mainstream primary school in Barnstaple, Devon, for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 7 of its 161 pupils (4.3%) were getting SEN support and 1 (0.6%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–11
- 161 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Devon.
4.3% get SEN support
7 of 161 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
0.6% have an EHC plan
1 of 161 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower 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
- Foundation school
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 161 (places for 168)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Melanie Smallwood
- Free school meals
- 6.8% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Devon
- School reference (URN)
- 113134
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 Devon 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
- Early yearsExpected standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
- SafeguardingMet
Contact and getting there
School Lane, Bishops Tawton, Barnstaple, EX32 0AE
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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
- Newport Community School Primary Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 1.2 miles
- The Lampard Community School Special school · Ages 5–16 · Ofsted: Good 1.2 miles
- On Track Education Barnstaple Independent · Ages 7–18 · Ofsted: Good 2.0 miles
- Pilton Community College Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 2.5 miles
Other mainstream schools
Questions about Bishops Tawton Primary School
How many pupils at Bishops Tawton Primary School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 7 of the 161 pupils (4.3%) were getting SEN support and 1 (0.6%) 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 Bishops Tawton 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 Bishops Tawton Primary School?
Through Devon 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 Bishops Tawton Primary School?
You can ask for Bishops Tawton 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 Bishops Tawton 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 Newport Community School Primary Academy, about 1.2 miles away.
Where is Bishops Tawton Primary School?
School Lane, Bishops Tawton, Barnstaple, EX32 0AE, in Devon.
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.