Thornden School is a mainstream secondary school in Eastleigh, Hampshire, for children and young people aged 11 to 16. In January 2026, 97 of its 1,440 pupils (6.7%) were getting SEN support and 55 (3.8%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–16
- 1,440 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Hampshire.
6.7% get SEN support
97 of 1,440 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
3.8% have an EHC plan
55 of 1,440 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Moderate learning difficulty40
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia27
- Social, emotional and mental health21
- Speech, language and communication19
- Autism18
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
- 1,440 (places for 1,400)
- Headteacher
- Ms Caroline Lowing
- Part of
- Hisp Multi Academy Trust LTD
- Free school meals
- 6.5% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Hampshire
- School reference (URN)
- 136715
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 Hampshire 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, June 2026: Strong standard in 5 of 6 areas
Inspected in June 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 teachingStrong standard
- AchievementExceptional
- Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
- Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
- Leadership and governanceStrong standard
- SafeguardingMet
Contact and getting there
Winchester Road, Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh, SO53 2DW
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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
- Lakeside School Special school · Ages 10–16 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.0 miles
- Hiltingbury Infant School Mainstream + base · Ages 5–7 · Ofsted: Outstanding 1.0 mile
- Hiltingbury Junior School Mainstream + base · Ages 7–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.0 mile
- Shepherds Down Special School Special school · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.9 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Scantabout Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 13.9%, EHC plans 3.2% 0.4 miles
- Merdon Junior School Primary · Ages 7–11 · SEN support 13.6%, EHC plans 3.6% 0.6 miles
- Fryern Infant School Primary · Ages 4–7 · SEN support 12.6%, EHC plans 4.4% 0.7 miles
All mainstream schools in Hampshire SEND schools in Hampshire
Questions about Thornden School
How many pupils at Thornden School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 97 of the 1,440 pupils (6.7%) were getting SEN support and 55 (3.8%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Thornden School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are moderate learning difficulties (40 pupils), dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (27 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (21 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Thornden School?
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 Thornden School?
Through Hampshire 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 Thornden School?
You can ask for Thornden School 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 Thornden School 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 Hiltingbury Infant School, about 1.0 mile away.
Where is Thornden School?
Winchester Road, Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh, SO53 2DW, in Hampshire.
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.