King Alfred's is a mainstream secondary school in Wantage, Oxfordshire, for children and young people aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 302 of its 1,708 pupils (17.7%) were getting SEN support and 75 (4.4%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 1,708 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Oxfordshire.
17.7% get SEN support
302 of 1,708 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
4.4% have an EHC plan
75 of 1,708 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health121
- Moderate learning difficulty77
- Autism68
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia48
- Speech, language and communication32
- Physical disability10
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
- 1,708 (places for 2,205)
- Headteacher
- Mr Jonathan Smart
- Part of
- Cambrian Learning Trust
- Free school meals
- 18.8% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Oxfordshire
- School reference (URN)
- 137140
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 Oxfordshire 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, April 2026: Needs attention in 5 of 7 areas
Inspected in April 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 teachingNeeds attention
- AchievementNeeds attention
- Attendance and behaviourNeeds attention
- Personal development and wellbeingNeeds attention
- Post-16Expected standard
- Leadership and governanceNeeds attention
- SafeguardingMet
Contact and getting there
Portway, Wantage, OX12 9BY
Loading the map…
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
- Fitzwaryn School Special school · Ages 3–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.7 miles
- Huckleberry Therapeutic School Independent · Ages 5–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.8 miles
- Fitzharrys School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 9.1 miles
- Rush Common School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted report card (2026) 9.4 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Wantage Church of England Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 14.5%, EHC plans 5.3% 0.2 miles
- Stockham Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 19.2%, EHC plans 5.4% 0.5 miles
- Charlton Primary School Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 17.8%, EHC plans 3.8% 0.9 miles
All mainstream schools in Oxfordshire SEND schools in Oxfordshire
Questions about King Alfred's
How many pupils at King Alfred's have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 302 of the 1,708 pupils (17.7%) were getting SEN support and 75 (4.4%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at King Alfred's?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (121 pupils), moderate learning difficulties (77 pupils) and autism (68 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at King Alfred's?
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 King Alfred's?
Through Oxfordshire 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 King Alfred's?
You can ask for King Alfred's 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 King Alfred's 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 Fitzharrys School, about 9.1 miles away.
Where is King Alfred's?
Portway, Wantage, OX12 9BY, in Oxfordshire.
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.