Ilfracombe Infant and Nursery School is a mainstream primary school in Ilfracombe, Devon, for children aged 2 to 7. In January 2026, 56 of its 207 pupils (27.1%) were getting SEN support and 4 (1.9%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 2–7
- 207 pupils
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Devon.
27.1% get SEN support
56 of 207 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
1.9% have an EHC plan
4 of 207 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Moderate learning difficulty23
- Speech, language and communication22
- Social, emotional and mental health11
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
- 2 to 7
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 207 (places for 360)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Claire Grant (Executive Headteacher)
- Free school meals
- 34.3% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Devon
- School reference (URN)
- 113155
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
Graded by area, March 2025
Inspected in March 2025. Inspections from September 2024 to November 2025 graded each area but gave no overall grade.
- Quality of educationRequires improvement
- Behaviour and attitudesRequires improvement
- Personal developmentRequires improvement
- Leadership and managementRequires improvement
- Early yearsRequires improvement
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Marlborough Road, Ilfracombe, EX34 8JL
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
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The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Ilfracombe Church of England Junior School Mainstream + base · Ages 7–11 0.1 miles
- Pilton Community College Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 8.4 miles
- Pathfield School Special school · Ages 3–19 · Ofsted: Good 8.6 miles
- On Track Education Barnstaple Independent · Ages 7–18 · Ofsted: Good 9.8 miles
Other mainstream schools
- The Ilfracombe Church of England Academy Secondary · Ages 11–18 · SEN support 14.1%, EHC plans 3% 0.3 miles
- Berrynarbor Church of England Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 33.3%, EHC plans 2.9% 2.7 miles
- West Down School Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 21.1%, EHC plans 4.2% 3.2 miles
Questions about Ilfracombe Infant and Nursery School
How many pupils at Ilfracombe Infant and Nursery School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 56 of the 207 pupils (27.1%) were getting SEN support and 4 (1.9%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Ilfracombe Infant and Nursery School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are moderate learning difficulties (23 pupils), speech, language and communication needs (22 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (11 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Ilfracombe Infant and Nursery 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 Ilfracombe Infant and Nursery 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 Ilfracombe Infant and Nursery School?
You can ask for Ilfracombe Infant and Nursery 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 Ilfracombe Infant and Nursery 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 Ilfracombe Church of England Junior School, about 0.1 miles away.
Where is Ilfracombe Infant and Nursery School?
Marlborough Road, Ilfracombe, EX34 8JL, 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.