Harris Academy Benfleet is a mainstream secondary school in Benfleet, Essex, for children and young people aged 11 to 19. In January 2026, 249 of its 1,597 pupils (15.6%) were getting SEN support and 49 (3.1%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–19
- 1,597 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Essex.
15.6% get SEN support
249 of 1,597 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
3.1% have an EHC plan
49 of 1,597 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health80
- Autism66
- Moderate learning difficulty48
- Speech, language and communication35
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia35
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 19
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,597 (places for 1,500)
- Headteacher
- Sarah Cox
- Part of
- Harris Federation
- Free school meals
- 18.4% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Essex
- School reference (URN)
- 136579
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 Essex 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, February 2019; standards maintained (November 2024)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in February 2019. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
- Sixth formGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: Standards maintained (ungraded inspection, November 2024).
Contact and getting there
Croft Road, Benfleet, SS7 5RN
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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
- Glenwood School Special school · Ages 3–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.8 miles
- Cedar Hall School Special school · Ages 4–16 1.7 miles
- Glebe Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 2.9 miles
- The Sweyne Park School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–19 3.0 miles
Other mainstream schools
Questions about Harris Academy Benfleet
How many pupils at Harris Academy Benfleet have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 249 of the 1,597 pupils (15.6%) were getting SEN support and 49 (3.1%) 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 Benfleet?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (80 pupils), autism (66 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (48 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Harris Academy Benfleet?
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 Benfleet?
Through Essex 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 Benfleet?
You can ask for Harris Academy Benfleet 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 Benfleet 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 Glebe Primary School, about 2.9 miles away.
Where is Harris Academy Benfleet?
Croft Road, Benfleet, SS7 5RN, in Essex.
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.