The Sir Robert Woodard Academy is a mainstream secondary school in Sompting, West Sussex, for children and young people aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 210 of its 1,427 pupils (14.7%) were getting SEN support and 77 (5.4%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 1,427 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in West Sussex.
14.7% get SEN support
210 of 1,427 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
5.4% have an EHC plan
77 of 1,427 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia100
- Social, emotional and mental health64
- Autism43
- Speech, language and communication36
- Moderate learning difficulty27
- Physical disability6
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
- 1,427 (places for 1,400)
- Headteacher
- Mr Kieran Scanlon (Principal)
- Part of
- Woodard Academies Trust
- Faith
- Christian
- Free school meals
- 19.8% of pupils eligible
- Council
- West Sussex
- School reference (URN)
- 135744
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
Report card, January 2026: Strong standard in 4 of 7 areas
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.
- InclusionStrong standard
- Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
- AchievementExpected standard
- Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
- Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
- Post-16Expected standard
- Leadership and governanceStrong standard
- SafeguardingMet
Contact and getting there
Upper Boundstone Lane, Sompting, BN15 9QZ
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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
- Boundstone Nursery School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–5 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.0 miles
- Springboard Education Independent · Ages 5–18 · Ofsted: Good 0.8 miles
- Red Balloon Worthing Learner Centre Independent · Ages 11–18 1.7 miles
- Homefield Primary School and SSC Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.8 miles
Other mainstream schools
- The Globe Primary Academy Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 16.4%, EHC plans 3.2% 0.2 miles
- North Lancing Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 22.9%, EHC plans 3.4% 0.6 miles
- Sompting Village Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 25.4%, EHC plans 7.5% 0.6 miles
All mainstream schools in West Sussex SEND schools in West Sussex
Questions about The Sir Robert Woodard Academy
How many pupils at The Sir Robert Woodard Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 210 of the 1,427 pupils (14.7%) were getting SEN support and 77 (5.4%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at The Sir Robert Woodard Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (100 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (64 pupils) and autism (43 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at The Sir Robert Woodard Academy?
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 The Sir Robert Woodard Academy?
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 The Sir Robert Woodard Academy?
You can ask for The Sir Robert Woodard Academy 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 The Sir Robert Woodard Academy 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 Boundstone Nursery School, about 0.0 miles away.
Where is The Sir Robert Woodard Academy?
Upper Boundstone Lane, Sompting, BN15 9QZ, 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.