Dedham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School is a mainstream primary school in Colchester, Essex, for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 14 of its 202 pupils (6.9%) were getting SEN support and 6 (3%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–11
- 202 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Essex.
6.9% get SEN support
14 of 202 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
3% have an EHC plan
6 of 202 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication7
- Social, emotional and mental health5
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
- 202 (places for 210)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Gemma Chester
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 8.4% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Essex
- School reference (URN)
- 115076
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 Good, June 2024
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in June 2024.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentOutstanding
- Leadership and managementGood
- Early yearsGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Parson's Field, Dedham, Colchester, CO7 6BZ
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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
- Langham Oaks Special school · Ages 10–16 2.5 miles
- Market Field School and College Special school · Ages 5–19 · Ofsted: Good 5.1 miles
- Philip Morant School and College Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 7.3 miles
- Cherry Tree Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 7.6 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Stratford St Mary Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 13.6%, EHC plans 1.1% 1.6 miles
- East Bergholt Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 8.7%, EHC plans 4.6% 1.7 miles
- Ardleigh St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 22.2%, EHC plans 1.2% 2.0 miles
Questions about Dedham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
How many pupils at Dedham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 14 of the 202 pupils (6.9%) were getting SEN support and 6 (3%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Dedham 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 (7 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (5 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Dedham 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 Dedham Church of England Voluntary Controlled 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 Dedham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School?
You can ask for Dedham 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 Dedham 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 Philip Morant School and College, about 7.3 miles away.
Where is Dedham Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School?
Parson's Field, Dedham, Colchester, CO7 6BZ, 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.