Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy is a mainstream primary school in Leicester for children aged 3 to 11. In January 2026, 69 of its 310 pupils (22.3%) were getting SEN support and 16 (5.2%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 3–11
- 310 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Leicester.
22.3% get SEN support
69 of 310 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
5.2% have an EHC plan
16 of 310 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication35
- Social, emotional and mental health16
- Moderate learning difficulty15
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia12
- Autism5
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 primary school
- Run as
- Academy
- Ages
- 3 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 310 (places for 371)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Alison James and Mrs Marie Sexton
- Part of
- St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Multi Academy Trust
- Faith
- Roman Catholic
- Free school meals
- 21.3% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Leicester
- School reference (URN)
- 138081
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 Leicester 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, January 2026: Expected standard in 5 of 7 areas
Inspected in January 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 teachingExpected standard
- AchievementExpected standard
- Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
- Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
- Early yearsExpected standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
- SafeguardingMet
Contact and getting there
Mere Close, Off Mere Road, Leicester, LE5 3HH
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
- Shenton Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.1 miles
- Catherine Infant School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–7 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.5 miles
- Indie Education Independent · Ages 14–19 1.0 mile
- Leicester Therapeutic School Independent · Ages 5–11 1.0 mile
Other mainstream schools
- Bridge Junior School Primary · Ages 7–11 · SEN support 19.3%, EHC plans 2.7% 0.0 miles
- Green Lane Infant School Primary · Ages 3–7 · SEN support 22.3%, EHC plans 2.2% 0.2 miles
- Charnwood Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 8%, EHC plans 1.8% 0.3 miles
All mainstream schools in Leicester SEND schools in Leicester
Questions about Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy
How many pupils at Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 69 of the 310 pupils (22.3%) were getting SEN support and 16 (5.2%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (35 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (16 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (15 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary 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 Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy?
Through Leicester 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 Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy?
You can ask for Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary 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 Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary 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 Shenton Primary School, about 0.1 miles away.
Where is Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy?
Mere Close, Off Mere Road, Leicester, LE5 3HH, in Leicester.
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.