Hartsdown Academy is a mainstream secondary school in Margate, Kent, for children and young people aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 317 of its 868 pupils (36.5%) were getting SEN support and 40 (4.6%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 868 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Kent.
36.5% get SEN support
317 of 868 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
4.6% have an EHC plan
40 of 868 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 dyslexia72
- Social, emotional and mental health57
- Autism54
- Speech, language and communication52
- Moderate learning difficulty29
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
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 868 (places for 1,175)
- Headteacher
- Mr Ian Wallace
- Part of
- Coastal Academies Trust
- Free school meals
- 63.8% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Kent
- School reference (URN)
- 136571
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 Kent 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, February 2026: Expected standard in 4 of 7 areas
Inspected in February 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
- AchievementNeeds attention
- Attendance and behaviourNeeds attention
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
- Post-16Expected standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
- SafeguardingMet
Contact and getting there
George V Avenue, Margate, CT9 5RE
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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
- Garlinge Primary School and Nursery Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.2 miles
- Cherry Tree Independent · Ages 11–17 0.2 miles
- Margate, Holy Trinity and St John's Church of England Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.8 miles
- Liberty College Independent · Ages 16–24 1.3 miles
Other mainstream schools
Questions about Hartsdown Academy
How many pupils at Hartsdown Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 317 of the 868 pupils (36.5%) were getting SEN support and 40 (4.6%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Hartsdown Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (72 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (57 pupils) and autism (54 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Hartsdown 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 Hartsdown Academy?
Through Kent 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 Hartsdown Academy?
You can ask for Hartsdown 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 Hartsdown 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 Garlinge Primary School and Nursery, about 0.2 miles away.
Where is Hartsdown Academy?
George V Avenue, Margate, CT9 5RE, in Kent.
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.