Bowes Hutchinson's CofE (Aided) School is a mainstream primary school in Barnard Castle, County Durham, for children aged 2 to 11. In January 2026, 10 of its 39 pupils (25.6%) were getting SEN support and 1 (2.6%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 2–11
- 39 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in County Durham.
25.6% get SEN support
10 of 39 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
2.6% have an EHC plan
1 of 39 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Moderate learning difficulty8
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
- 2 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 39 (places for 70)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Julie Gibson
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 7.7% of pupils eligible
- Council
- County Durham
- School reference (URN)
- 114237
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 County Durham 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, March 2026: Expected standard in every area
Inspected in March 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
Bowes, Barnard Castle, DL12 9LG
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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
- Highcroft School Independent · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 11 miles
- Richmond School & Sixth Form College Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted report card (2026) 14 miles
- Pear Tree School Independent · Ages 8–18 15 miles
- Cambrai Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Outstanding 16 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Cotherstone Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 18.2%, EHC plans 4.5% 3.9 miles
- St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Barnard Castle Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 27.2%, EHC plans 1.9% 4.1 miles
- Montalbo Nursery & Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 9.2%, EHC plans 1.3% 4.3 miles
All mainstream schools in County Durham SEND schools in County Durham
Questions about Bowes Hutchinson's CofE (Aided) School
How many pupils at Bowes Hutchinson's CofE (Aided) School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 10 of the 39 pupils (25.6%) were getting SEN support and 1 (2.6%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Bowes Hutchinson's CofE (Aided) School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are moderate learning difficulties (8 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Bowes Hutchinson's CofE (Aided) 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 Bowes Hutchinson's CofE (Aided) School?
Through County Durham 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 Bowes Hutchinson's CofE (Aided) School?
You can ask for Bowes Hutchinson's CofE (Aided) 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 Bowes Hutchinson's CofE (Aided) 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 Richmond School & Sixth Form College, about 14 miles away.
Where is Bowes Hutchinson's CofE (Aided) School?
Bowes, Barnard Castle, DL12 9LG, in County Durham.
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.