Parkside Community Primary School is a mainstream primary school in Heathfield, East Sussex, for children aged 2 to 11. In January 2026, 44 of its 225 pupils (19.6%) were getting SEN support and 4 (1.8%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 2–11
- 225 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in East Sussex.
19.6% get SEN support
44 of 225 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
1.8% have an EHC plan
4 of 225 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health17
- Speech, language and communication12
- Moderate learning difficulty7
- Autism5
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 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 225 (places for 210)
- Headteacher
- Headteacher Derek Hollywood
- Free school meals
- 8.7% of pupils eligible
- Council
- East Sussex
- School reference (URN)
- 114482
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 East Sussex 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 4 of 7 areas
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.
- InclusionStrong standard
- Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
- AchievementExpected standard
- Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
- Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
- Early yearsExpected standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
- SafeguardingMet
Since then: School remains Outstanding (Concerns) - S5 Next (ungraded inspection, July 2023).
Contact and getting there
Beechwood Lane, Heathfield, TN21 8QQ
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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
- Heathfield Community College Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 0.8 miles
- St Mary's School Special school · Ages 9–16 · Ofsted: Good 1.5 miles
- Grovelands Community Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 6.4 miles
- The Ropemakers' Academy Special school · Ages 4–16 · Ofsted: Good 6.5 miles
Other mainstream schools
- All Saints' and St Richard's Church of England Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 33.7%, EHC plans 3.5% 0.6 miles
- Cross-in-Hand Church of England Primary School Primary · Ages 5–11 · SEN support 13.2%, EHC plans 2.1% 1.0 mile
- Maynards Green Community Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 10.7%, EHC plans 1.5% 1.2 miles
All mainstream schools in East Sussex SEND schools in East Sussex
Questions about Parkside Community Primary School
How many pupils at Parkside Community Primary School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 44 of the 225 pupils (19.6%) were getting SEN support and 4 (1.8%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Parkside Community Primary School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (17 pupils), speech, language and communication needs (12 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (7 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Parkside Community 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 Parkside Community Primary School?
Through East Sussex 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 Parkside Community Primary School?
You can ask for Parkside Community 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 Parkside Community 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 Heathfield Community College, about 0.8 miles away.
Where is Parkside Community Primary School?
Beechwood Lane, Heathfield, TN21 8QQ, in East Sussex.
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.