The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury is a mainstream primary school in Shaftesbury, Dorset, for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 30 of its 201 pupils (14.9%) were getting SEN support and 8 (4%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–11
- 201 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Dorset.
14.9% get SEN support
30 of 201 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
4% have an EHC plan
8 of 201 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication18
- 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
- Voluntary aided school
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 201 (places for 210)
- Headteacher
- Mr Michael Salisbury
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 16.9% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Dorset
- School reference (URN)
- 113850
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 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.
- 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, July 2012; school remains Good (December 2022)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in July 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, December 2022).
Contact and getting there
St James's Street, Shaftesbury, SP7 8HQ
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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
- Coombe House School Independent · Ages 5–19 · Ofsted: Good 1.6 miles
- Gillingham Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted report card (2026) 3.9 miles
- Yewstock School Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 6.4 miles
- The Gryphon School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 14 miles
Other mainstream schools
Questions about The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury
How many pupils at The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 30 of the 201 pupils (14.9%) were getting SEN support and 8 (4%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (18 pupils), 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 The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury?
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 Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury?
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 The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury?
You can ask for The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury 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 Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury 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 Gillingham Primary School, about 3.9 miles away.
Where is The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury?
St James's Street, Shaftesbury, SP7 8HQ, 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.