Highfields Primary School is a mainstream primary school in Manningtree, Essex, for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 37 of its 320 pupils (11.6%) were getting SEN support and 10 (3.1%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–11
- 320 pupils
- Ofsted: Outstanding
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Essex.
11.6% get SEN support
37 of 320 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
3.1% have an EHC plan
10 of 320 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 health11
- Speech, language and communication8
- Autism5
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia5
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
- 4 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 320 (places for 315)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Tara Marshall
- Free school meals
- 6.3% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Essex
- School reference (URN)
- 114769
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 Essex 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 Outstanding, July 2016; school remains Outstanding (November 2022)
Rated Outstanding at its last graded inspection, in July 2016. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementOutstanding
- Early yearsOutstanding
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: School remains Outstanding (ungraded inspection, November 2022).
Contact and getting there
Colchester Road, Lawford, Manningtree, CO11 2BN
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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
- The Haefen Independent Special School Independent · Ages 5–11 3.3 miles
- Langham Oaks Special school · Ages 10–16 4.9 miles
- Chantry Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 7.8 miles
- Morland Church of England Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 8.1 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Manningtree High School Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 11.1%, EHC plans 3.6% 0.0 miles
- Lawford Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 11.5%, EHC plans 1.1% 0.4 miles
- Stourview Church of England Primary Academy Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 30.8%, EHC plans 10.3% 1.5 miles
Questions about Highfields Primary School
How many pupils at Highfields Primary School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 37 of the 320 pupils (11.6%) were getting SEN support and 10 (3.1%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Highfields 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 (11 pupils), speech, language and communication needs (8 pupils) and autism (5 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Highfields 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 Highfields Primary School?
Through Essex 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 Highfields Primary School?
You can ask for Highfields 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 Highfields 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 Chantry Academy, about 7.8 miles away.
Where is Highfields Primary School?
Colchester Road, Lawford, Manningtree, CO11 2BN, in Essex.
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.