Henlow Church of England Academy is a mainstream secondary school in Henlow, Central Bedfordshire, for children and young people aged 9 to 16. In January 2026, 97 of its 599 pupils (16.2%) were getting SEN support and 54 (9%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 9–16
- 599 pupils
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Central Bedfordshire.
16.2% get SEN support
97 of 599 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
9% have an EHC plan
54 of 599 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism44
- Social, emotional and mental health35
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia35
- Speech, language and communication8
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
- 9 to 16
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 599 (places for 900)
- Headteacher
- Miss Naomi Chalkley
- Part of
- Poppy Hill Church of England Multi Academy Trust
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 20.3% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Central Bedfordshire
- School reference (URN)
- 138027
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 Central Bedfordshire 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
Graded by area, April 2025
Inspected in April 2025. Inspections from September 2024 to November 2025 graded each area but gave no overall grade.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Church Road, Henlow, SG16 6AN
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
- Samuel Whitbread Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 13–18 · Ofsted: Good 1.4 miles
- Shefford Lower School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–9 · Ofsted: Good 2.6 miles
- Ivel Valley School & College Special school · Ages 3–19 · Ofsted: Good 4.1 miles
- Brandles School Special school · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 5.2 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Raynsford Church of England Academy Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 11%, EHC plans 7.3% 0.2 miles
- Clifton All Saints Academy Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 11.8%, EHC plans 3.9% 0.8 miles
- Derwent Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 8.1%, EHC plans 3.8% 1.0 mile
All mainstream schools in Central Bedfordshire SEND schools in Central Bedfordshire
Questions about Henlow Church of England Academy
How many pupils at Henlow Church of England Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 97 of the 599 pupils (16.2%) were getting SEN support and 54 (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 Henlow Church of England Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (44 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (35 pupils) and dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (35 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Henlow Church of England 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 Henlow Church of England Academy?
Through Central Bedfordshire 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 Henlow Church of England Academy?
You can ask for Henlow Church of England 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 Henlow Church of England 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 Samuel Whitbread Academy, about 1.4 miles away.
Where is Henlow Church of England Academy?
Church Road, Henlow, SG16 6AN, in Central Bedfordshire.
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.