Thomas Willingale Primary School and Nursery is a mainstream primary school in Loughton, Essex, for children aged 3 to 11. In January 2026, 110 of its 486 pupils (22.6%) were getting SEN support and 12 (2.5%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 3–11
- 486 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Essex.
22.6% get SEN support
110 of 486 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
2.5% have an EHC plan
12 of 486 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication36
- Social, emotional and mental health29
- Moderate learning difficulty29
- Autism14
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia6
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
- Foundation school
- Ages
- 3 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 486 (places for 420)
- Headteacher
- Miss Teresa Phillips
- Free school meals
- 30.7% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Essex
- School reference (URN)
- 115309
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, November 2017; school remains Good (April 2023)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in November 2017. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
- Early yearsGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, April 2023).
Contact and getting there
The Broadway, Loughton, IG10 3SR
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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
- Oak View School Special school · Ages 3–19 · Ofsted: Good 0.7 miles
- The Alderton Junior School Mainstream + base · Ages 7–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.8 miles
- Woodcroft School Independent · Ages 5–13 · Ofsted report card (2026) 1.1 miles
- White Bridge Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.5 miles
Other mainstream schools
Questions about Thomas Willingale Primary School and Nursery
How many pupils at Thomas Willingale Primary School and Nursery have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 110 of the 486 pupils (22.6%) were getting SEN support and 12 (2.5%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Thomas Willingale Primary School and Nursery?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (36 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (29 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (29 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Thomas Willingale Primary School and Nursery?
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 Thomas Willingale Primary School and Nursery?
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 Thomas Willingale Primary School and Nursery?
You can ask for Thomas Willingale Primary School and Nursery 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 Thomas Willingale Primary School and Nursery 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 The Alderton Junior School, about 0.8 miles away.
Where is Thomas Willingale Primary School and Nursery?
The Broadway, Loughton, IG10 3SR, 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.