Tarleton Academy is a mainstream secondary school in Preston, Lancashire, for children and young people aged 11 to 16. In January 2026, 138 of its 674 pupils (20.5%) were getting SEN support and 12 (1.8%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–16
- 674 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Lancashire.
20.5% get SEN support
138 of 674 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
1.8% have an EHC plan
12 of 674 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism46
- Social, emotional and mental health39
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia30
- Visual impairment12
- Speech, language and communication5
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
- 674 (places for 750)
- Headteacher
- Mr Scott Parker
- Part of
- Endeavour Learning Trust
- Free school meals
- 20.3% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Lancashire
- School reference (URN)
- 137768
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 Lancashire 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, December 2014; school remains Good (July 2023)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in December 2014. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementOutstanding
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, July 2023).
Contact and getting there
Hesketh Lane, Tarleton, Preston, PR4 6AQ
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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
- Aurora Brooklands School Independent · Ages 9–16 · Ofsted: Good 3.8 miles
- Seven Stars Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 4.6 miles
- Rainbow Hub School Independent · Ages 4–16 · Ofsted: Outstanding 5.2 miles
- Northbrook Primary Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Requires improvement 5.3 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Tarleton Holy Trinity CofE Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 11.6%, EHC plans 3.9% 0.3 miles
- Tarleton Community Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 8.3%, EHC plans 2.9% 0.6 miles
- Hoole St Michael CofE Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 8.6%, EHC plans 6.2% 1.0 mile
All mainstream schools in Lancashire SEND schools in Lancashire
Questions about Tarleton Academy
How many pupils at Tarleton Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 138 of the 674 pupils (20.5%) were getting SEN support and 12 (1.8%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Tarleton Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (46 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (39 pupils) and dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (30 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Tarleton 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 Tarleton Academy?
Through Lancashire 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 Tarleton Academy?
You can ask for Tarleton 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 Tarleton 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 Seven Stars Primary School, about 4.6 miles away.
Where is Tarleton Academy?
Hesketh Lane, Tarleton, Preston, PR4 6AQ, in Lancashire.
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.