Downton CofE VA Primary School is a mainstream primary school in Salisbury, Wiltshire, for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 33 of its 272 pupils (12.1%) were getting SEN support and 7 (2.6%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–11
- 272 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Wiltshire.
12.1% get SEN support
33 of 272 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
2.6% have an EHC plan
7 of 272 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication16
- Social, emotional and mental health10
- 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 aided school
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 272 (places for 300)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Paula Carlton
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 11% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Wiltshire
- School reference (URN)
- 126475
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 Wiltshire 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, January 2020; standards maintained (April 2025)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in January 2020.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- Early yearsGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: Standards maintained (ungraded inspection, April 2025).
Contact and getting there
Gravel Close, Downton, Salisbury, SP5 3LZ
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
- Fountain House Education Suite Independent · Ages 6–14 5.7 miles
- The Spires Independent · Ages 6–18 · Ofsted: Good 5.7 miles
- Salisbury, Manor Fields Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 5–11 · Ofsted: Good 6.1 miles
- Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 6.2 miles
Other mainstream schools
- The Trafalgar School at Downton Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 11.9%, EHC plans 7.7% 0.3 miles
- Morgan's Vale and Woodfalls Church of England Primary School Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 22.9%, EHC plans 4.6% 1.5 miles
- Hale Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 15.1%, EHC plans 4.1% 2.0 miles
All mainstream schools in Wiltshire SEND schools in Wiltshire
Questions about Downton CofE VA Primary School
How many pupils at Downton CofE VA Primary School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 33 of the 272 pupils (12.1%) were getting SEN support and 7 (2.6%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Downton CofE VA Primary School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (16 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (10 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (6 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Downton CofE VA 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 Downton CofE VA Primary School?
Through Wiltshire 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 Downton CofE VA Primary School?
You can ask for Downton CofE VA 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 Downton CofE VA 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 Salisbury, Manor Fields Primary School, about 6.1 miles away.
Where is Downton CofE VA Primary School?
Gravel Close, Downton, Salisbury, SP5 3LZ, in Wiltshire.
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.