Ansford Academy is a mainstream secondary school in Castle Cary, Somerset, for children and young people aged 11 to 16. In January 2026, 85 of its 469 pupils (18.1%) were getting SEN support and 23 (4.9%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–16
- 469 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Somerset.
18.1% get SEN support
85 of 469 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
4.9% have an EHC plan
23 of 469 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 dyslexia27
- Social, emotional and mental health26
- Moderate learning difficulty18
- Speech, language and communication12
- Autism10
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
- 469 (places for 760)
- Headteacher
- Mr Karl Musson (Principal)
- Part of
- Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership
- Free school meals
- 19.2% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Somerset
- School reference (URN)
- 136839
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 Somerset 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 6 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.
- InclusionExpected standard
- Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
- AchievementExpected standard
- Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
- Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
- Leadership and governanceStrong standard
- SafeguardingMet
Since then: School remains Good (Concerns) - S5 Next (ungraded inspection, March 2022).
Contact and getting there
Maggs Lane, Castle Cary, BA7 7JJ
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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 Mendip School Special school · Ages 4–19 · Ofsted: Good 4.5 miles
- Marchant Holliday School Independent · Ages 5–14 · Ofsted: Outstanding 5.3 miles
- The Gryphon School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 9.5 miles
- St Dunstan's School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 9.6 miles
Other mainstream schools
Questions about Ansford Academy
How many pupils at Ansford Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 85 of the 469 pupils (18.1%) were getting SEN support and 23 (4.9%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Ansford Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (27 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (26 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (18 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Ansford 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 Ansford Academy?
Through Somerset 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 Ansford Academy?
You can ask for Ansford 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 Ansford 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 Gryphon School, about 9.5 miles away.
Where is Ansford Academy?
Maggs Lane, Castle Cary, BA7 7JJ, in Somerset.
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.