Sonning Common Primary School is a mainstream primary school in Reading, Oxfordshire, for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 27 of its 292 pupils (9.2%) were getting SEN support and 12 (4.1%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–11
- 292 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Oxfordshire.
9.2% get SEN support
27 of 292 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
4.1% have an EHC plan
12 of 292 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism13
- Social, emotional and mental health11
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
- 4 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 292 (places for 409)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Rachel Salmons
- Free school meals
- 19.5% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Oxfordshire
- School reference (URN)
- 123038
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 Oxfordshire 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, December 2013; school remains Good (September 2023)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in December 2013. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, September 2023).
Contact and getting there
Grove Road, Sonning Common, Reading, RG4 9RJ
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
- Bishopswood School Special school · Ages 2–16 · Ofsted report card (2025) 0.1 miles
- Aurora Rowan School Independent · Ages 5–19 · Ofsted report card (2026) 1.5 miles
- Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 2.3 miles
- New Bridge Nursery School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–5 · Ofsted: Outstanding 3.5 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Maiden Erlegh Chiltern Edge Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 29.9%, EHC plans 7.2% 0.5 miles
- Kidmore End Church of England Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 13.2%, EHC plans 2.6% 0.8 miles
- Peppard Church of England Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 13.1%, EHC plans 0% 1.1 miles
All mainstream schools in Oxfordshire SEND schools in Oxfordshire
Questions about Sonning Common Primary School
How many pupils at Sonning Common Primary School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 27 of the 292 pupils (9.2%) were getting SEN support and 12 (4.1%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Sonning Common Primary School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (13 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (11 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Sonning Common 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 Sonning Common Primary School?
Through Oxfordshire 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 Sonning Common Primary School?
You can ask for Sonning Common 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 Sonning Common 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 Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre, about 2.3 miles away.
Where is Sonning Common Primary School?
Grove Road, Sonning Common, Reading, RG4 9RJ, in Oxfordshire.
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.