Harris Academy Merton is a mainstream secondary school in Mitcham, Merton, for children and young people aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 128 of its 1,371 pupils (9.3%) were getting SEN support and 28 (2%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 1,371 pupils
- Ofsted: Outstanding
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Merton.
9.3% get SEN support
128 of 1,371 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
2% have an EHC plan
28 of 1,371 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication41
- Social, emotional and mental health40
- Autism35
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia14
- Moderate learning difficulty6
- Hearing impairment5
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
- Academy (sponsored)
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,371 (places for 1,500)
- Headteacher
- Ms Aisha Samad (Principal)
- Part of
- Harris Federation
- Free school meals
- 38.3% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Merton
- School reference (URN)
- 131897
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 Merton 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 2022
Rated Outstanding at its last graded inspection, in September 2022.
- Quality of educationOutstanding
- Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
- Personal developmentOutstanding
- Leadership and managementOutstanding
- Sixth formOutstanding
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Wide Way, Mitcham, CR4 1BP
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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
- Harris Primary Academy Merton Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.1 miles
- Norbury Manor Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.6 miles
- Lavender Lodge School Independent · Ages 4–12 · Ofsted: Good 1.3 miles
- Cricket Green School Special school · Ages 4–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 1.5 miles
Other mainstream schools
Questions about Harris Academy Merton
How many pupils at Harris Academy Merton have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 128 of the 1,371 pupils (9.3%) were getting SEN support and 28 (2%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Harris Academy Merton?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (41 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (40 pupils) and autism (35 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Harris Academy Merton?
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 Harris Academy Merton?
Through Merton 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 Harris Academy Merton?
You can ask for Harris Academy Merton 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 Harris Academy Merton 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 Harris Primary Academy Merton, about 0.1 miles away.
Where is Harris Academy Merton?
Wide Way, Mitcham, CR4 1BP, in Merton.
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.