St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin is a mainstream primary school in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 23 of its 234 pupils (9.8%) were getting SEN support and 5 (2.1%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–11
- 234 pupils
- Ofsted: Outstanding
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Hertfordshire.
9.8% get SEN support
23 of 234 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
2.1% have an EHC plan
5 of 234 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 health9
- Speech, language and communication7
- 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
- Voluntary aided school
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 234 (places for 210)
- Headteacher
- Mr Russ Varnam
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 6.4% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Hertfordshire
- School reference (URN)
- 117467
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 Outstanding, September 2018; school remains Outstanding (Concerns) - S5 Next (July 2024)
Rated Outstanding at its last graded inspection, in September 2018. 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 (Concerns) - S5 Next (ungraded inspection, July 2024).
Contact and getting there
Benslow Lane, Hitchin, SG4 9RD
Loading the map…
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 Priory School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 1.1 miles
- Lordship Farm Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted report card (2026) 2.0 miles
- Woolgrove School, Special Needs Academy Special school · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 3.1 miles
- Brandles School Special school · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 3.9 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Hitchin Girls' School Secondary · Ages 11–18 · SEN support 10.5%, EHC plans 2.1% 0.3 miles
- William Ransom Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 11.7%, EHC plans 4.3% 0.3 miles
- Highbury Infant School and Nursery Primary · Ages 3–7 · SEN support 11.3%, EHC plans 1% 0.5 miles
All mainstream schools in Hertfordshire SEND schools in Hertfordshire
Questions about St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin
How many pupils at St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 23 of the 234 pupils (9.8%) were getting SEN support and 5 (2.1%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (9 pupils), speech, language and communication needs (7 pupils) and dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (5 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin?
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 St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin?
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 St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin?
You can ask for St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin 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 St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin 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 Priory School, about 1.1 miles away.
Where is St Andrew's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Hitchin?
Benslow Lane, Hitchin, SG4 9RD, 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.