Abbs Cross Academy and Arts College is a mainstream secondary school in Hornchurch, Havering, for children and young people aged 11 to 16. In January 2026, 369 of its 882 pupils (41.8%) were getting SEN support and 24 (2.7%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–16
- 882 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Havering.
41.8% get SEN support
369 of 882 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
2.7% have an EHC plan
24 of 882 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health150
- Moderate learning difficulty115
- Speech, language and communication88
- Physical disability23
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia8
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 16
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 882 (places for 888)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Nicola Jethwa
- Part of
- Loxford School Trust Limited
- Free school meals
- 26.8% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Havering
- School reference (URN)
- 136663
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 Havering 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, September 2017; school remains Good (December 2022)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in September 2017. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, December 2022).
Contact and getting there
Abbs Cross Lane, Hornchurch, RM12 4YB
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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
- Suttons Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.5 miles
- Hacton Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted report card (2026) 0.8 miles
- Routes4Life Limited Independent · Ages 19–25 1.2 miles
- The Bridge Independent · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 1.4 miles
Other mainstream schools
Questions about Abbs Cross Academy and Arts College
How many pupils at Abbs Cross Academy and Arts College have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 369 of the 882 pupils (41.8%) were getting SEN support and 24 (2.7%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Abbs Cross Academy and Arts College?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (150 pupils), moderate learning difficulties (115 pupils) and speech, language and communication needs (88 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Abbs Cross Academy and Arts College?
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 Abbs Cross Academy and Arts College?
Through Havering 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 Abbs Cross Academy and Arts College?
You can ask for Abbs Cross Academy and Arts College 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 Abbs Cross Academy and Arts College 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 Suttons Primary School, about 0.5 miles away.
Where is Abbs Cross Academy and Arts College?
Abbs Cross Lane, Hornchurch, RM12 4YB, in Havering.
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.