SEN2gether

Broadwindsor Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School is a mainstream primary school in Beaminster, Dorset, for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 16 of its 93 pupils (17.2%) were getting SEN support and 13 (14%) had an EHC plan.

  • Ages 4–11
  • 93 pupils
  • Ofsted: Requires improvement

Special educational needs here

From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Dorset.

17.2% get SEN support

16 of 93 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.

  • This school17.2%
  • England15.4%
  • Dorset16.4%

About the same as the England average.

14% have an EHC plan

13 of 93 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.

  • This school14%
  • England4.1%
  • Dorset4.3%

Higher than the England average.

Most common needs

  • Speech, language and communication13
  • Social, emotional and mental health7

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
4 to 11
Boys and girls
Boys and girls
Pupils
93 (places for 105)
Headteacher
Mrs Antoinette Barnes
Faith
Church of England
Free school meals
12.9% of pupils eligible
Council
Dorset
School reference (URN)
113777

How SEN support works

4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. An EHC needs assessment

    If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Dorset 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.

  4. 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 Requires improvement, November 2023

Rated Requires improvement at its last graded inspection, in November 2023.

  • Quality of educationRequires improvement
  • Behaviour and attitudesGood
  • Personal developmentGood
  • Leadership and managementRequires improvement
  • Early yearsGood
  • SafeguardingEffective

Contact and getting there

Drimpton Road, Broadwindsor, Beaminster, DT8 3QL

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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.

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Nearby

Specialist schools and SEN units

Other mainstream schools

All mainstream schools in Dorset SEND schools in Dorset

Questions about Broadwindsor Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

How many pupils at Broadwindsor Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School have special educational needs?

In the January 2026 school census, 16 of the 93 pupils (17.2%) were getting SEN support and 13 (14%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.

What are the most common needs at Broadwindsor Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School?

Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (13 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (7 pupils).

Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Broadwindsor Church of England Voluntary Controlled 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 Broadwindsor Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School?

Through Dorset 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 Broadwindsor Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School?

You can ask for Broadwindsor Church of England Voluntary Controlled 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 Broadwindsor Church of England Voluntary Controlled 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 Beaminster School, about 2.6 miles away.

Where is Broadwindsor Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School?

Drimpton Road, Broadwindsor, Beaminster, DT8 3QL, in Dorset.

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.

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