Haydon Bridge High School is a mainstream secondary school in Hexham, Northumberland, for children and young people aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 76 of its 392 pupils (19.4%) were getting SEN support and 23 (5.9%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 392 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Northumberland.
19.4% get SEN support
76 of 392 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
5.9% have an EHC plan
23 of 392 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health26
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia22
- Autism16
- Speech, language and communication11
- Moderate learning difficulty11
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 secondary school
- Run as
- Foundation school
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 392 (places for 904)
- Headteacher
- Ms Kath Pigdon (Principal)
- Free school meals
- 29.4% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Northumberland
- School reference (URN)
- 122328
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 Northumberland 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
Special measures. Report card, January 2026: Needs attention in 4 of 7 areas
Ofsted has placed this school in special measures.
Inspected in January 2026 under Ofsted’s new report cards, which grade each area separately, from Exceptional to Urgent improvement, instead of one overall grade.
- InclusionNeeds attention
- Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
- AchievementUrgent improvement
- Attendance and behaviourUrgent improvement
- Personal development and wellbeingNeeds attention
- Post-16Needs attention
- Leadership and governanceUrgent improvement
- SafeguardingMet
Contact and getting there
Haydon Bridge, Hexham, NE47 6LR
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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
- Hexham Priory School Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 6.6 miles
- Cambian Dilston College Independent · Ages 16–25 8.5 miles
- Thorp Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 19 miles
- William Howard School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 20 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Shaftoe Trust Academy Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 13.7%, EHC plans 5.9% 0.4 miles
- Newbrough Church of England Primary School Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 13.8%, EHC plans 3.1% 3.3 miles
- Henshaw Church of England Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 18.6%, EHC plans 3.5% 4.6 miles
All mainstream schools in Northumberland SEND schools in Northumberland
Questions about Haydon Bridge High School
How many pupils at Haydon Bridge High School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 76 of the 392 pupils (19.4%) were getting SEN support and 23 (5.9%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Haydon Bridge High School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (26 pupils), dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (22 pupils) and autism (16 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Haydon Bridge High 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 Haydon Bridge High School?
Through Northumberland 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 Haydon Bridge High School?
You can ask for Haydon Bridge High 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 Haydon Bridge High 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 Thorp Academy, about 19 miles away.
Where is Haydon Bridge High School?
Haydon Bridge, Hexham, NE47 6LR, in Northumberland.
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.