The Priory Ruskin Academy is a mainstream secondary school in Grantham, Lincolnshire, for children and young people aged 11 to 19. In January 2026, 274 of its 1,347 pupils (20.3%) were getting SEN support and 79 (5.9%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–19
- 1,347 pupils
- Ofsted: Outstanding
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Lincolnshire.
20.3% get SEN support
274 of 1,347 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
5.9% have an EHC plan
79 of 1,347 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 dyslexia167
- Social, emotional and mental health60
- Speech, language and communication59
- Moderate learning difficulty22
- Autism8
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 19
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,347 (places for 1,250)
- Headteacher
- Mr Ben Key
- Part of
- The Priory Federation of Academies
- Free school meals
- 33% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Lincolnshire
- School reference (URN)
- 136194
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 Lincolnshire 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, November 2017; school remains Outstanding (Concerns) - S5 Next (July 2024)
Rated Outstanding at its last graded inspection, in November 2017. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementOutstanding
- Sixth formGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: School remains Outstanding (Concerns) - S5 Next (ungraded inspection, July 2024).
Contact and getting there
Rushcliffe Road, Grantham, NG31 8ED
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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
- The Gonerby Hill Foot Church of England Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.7 miles
- Newton Bridge Academy Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.7 miles
- Esland Grantham School Independent · Ages 7–18 · Ofsted: Good 1.6 miles
- Church Lane Primary School & Nursery Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 11 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Cliffedale Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 14.8%, EHC plans 2.8% 0.2 miles
- The King's School, Grantham Secondary · Ages 11–18 · SEN support 6.4%, EHC plans 0.7% 0.5 miles
- Belton Lane Community Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 10.9%, EHC plans 3.6% 0.6 miles
All mainstream schools in Lincolnshire SEND schools in Lincolnshire
Questions about The Priory Ruskin Academy
How many pupils at The Priory Ruskin Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 274 of the 1,347 pupils (20.3%) were getting SEN support and 79 (5.9%) 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 Priory Ruskin Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (167 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (60 pupils) and speech, language and communication needs (59 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at The Priory Ruskin 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 Priory Ruskin Academy?
Through Lincolnshire 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 Priory Ruskin Academy?
You can ask for The Priory Ruskin 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 Priory Ruskin 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 The Gonerby Hill Foot Church of England Primary School, about 0.7 miles away.
Where is The Priory Ruskin Academy?
Rushcliffe Road, Grantham, NG31 8ED, in Lincolnshire.
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.