Shepherd Primary is a mainstream primary school in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, for children aged 3 to 11. In January 2026, 20 of its 179 pupils (11.2%) were getting SEN support and 11 (6.1%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 3–11
- 179 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Hertfordshire.
11.2% get SEN support
20 of 179 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
6.1% have an EHC plan
11 of 179 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Moderate learning difficulty11
- Social, emotional and mental health7
- Speech, language and communication6
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
- 3 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 179 (places for 300)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Claire Foad
- Free school meals
- 21.7% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Hertfordshire
- School reference (URN)
- 117096
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 Hertfordshire 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 2023
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in June 2023.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- Early yearsGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Shepherd's Lane, Rickmansworth, WD3 8JJ
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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 Chalfonts Community College Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 3.7 miles
- Colnbrook School Special school · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Outstanding 4.5 miles
- Warren Dell Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Outstanding 4.5 miles
- Nisai Virtual Academy Ltd Independent · Ages 16–25 4.5 miles
Other mainstream schools
- St John Catholic Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 19.6%, EHC plans 6.5% 0.2 miles
- St Peter's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 15.6%, EHC plans 2.9% 0.3 miles
- The Reach Free School Secondary · Ages 11–18 · SEN support 18.3%, EHC plans 7.4% 0.5 miles
All mainstream schools in Hertfordshire SEND schools in Hertfordshire
Questions about Shepherd Primary
How many pupils at Shepherd Primary have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 20 of the 179 pupils (11.2%) were getting SEN support and 11 (6.1%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Shepherd Primary?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are moderate learning difficulties (11 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (7 pupils) and speech, language and communication needs (6 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Shepherd Primary?
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 Shepherd Primary?
Through Hertfordshire 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 Shepherd Primary?
You can ask for Shepherd Primary 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 Shepherd Primary 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 Chalfonts Community College, about 3.7 miles away.
Where is Shepherd Primary?
Shepherd's Lane, Rickmansworth, WD3 8JJ, in Hertfordshire.
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.