Birdham CE Primary School is a mainstream primary school in Chichester, West Sussex, for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 14 of its 109 pupils (12.8%) were getting SEN support and 5 (4.6%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–11
- 109 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in West Sussex.
12.8% get SEN support
14 of 109 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
4.6% have an EHC plan
5 of 109 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health7
- Moderate learning difficulty6
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 controlled school
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 109 (places for 147)
- Headteacher
- Mr Mark McCadden
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 25.7% of pupils eligible
- Council
- West Sussex
- School reference (URN)
- 125972
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 West Sussex 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, September 2022
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in September 2022.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- Early yearsGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Crooked Lane, Birdham, Chichester, PO20 7HB
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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
- Parklands Community Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 3.8 miles
- St Anthony's School Special school · Ages 4–16 · Ofsted: Outstanding 4.2 miles
- Chichester Nursery School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–5 · Ofsted: Good 4.4 miles
- Fordwater School, Chichester Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted: Good 4.7 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Sidlesham Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 15.8%, EHC plans 4.3% 2.1 miles
- East Wittering Community Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 10.1%, EHC plans 5.7% 2.3 miles
- Bosham Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 8.3%, EHC plans 2.9% 2.8 miles
All mainstream schools in West Sussex SEND schools in West Sussex
Questions about Birdham CE Primary School
How many pupils at Birdham CE Primary School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 14 of the 109 pupils (12.8%) were getting SEN support and 5 (4.6%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Birdham CE Primary School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (7 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (6 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Birdham CE 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 Birdham CE Primary School?
Through West Sussex 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 Birdham CE Primary School?
You can ask for Birdham CE 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 Birdham CE 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 Parklands Community Primary School, about 3.8 miles away.
Where is Birdham CE Primary School?
Crooked Lane, Birdham, Chichester, PO20 7HB, in West Sussex.
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.