Ribbon School is a mainstream primary school in Seaham, County Durham, for children aged 3 to 11. In January 2026, 137 of its 514 pupils (26.7%) were getting SEN support and 10 (1.9%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 3–11
- 514 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in County Durham.
26.7% get SEN support
137 of 514 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
1.9% have an EHC plan
10 of 514 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism72
- Visual impairment16
- Social, emotional and mental health14
- Speech, language and communication11
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia5
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
- 514 (places for 478)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Ashleigh Sheridan
- Part of
- Ribbon Academy Trust
- Free school meals
- 41.1% of pupils eligible
- Council
- County Durham
- School reference (URN)
- 138633
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 County Durham 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, January 2023
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in January 2023.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentOutstanding
- Leadership and managementGood
- Early yearsOutstanding
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Barnes Road, Murton, Seaham, SR7 9QR
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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
- Seaview Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.6 miles
- Hetton Lyons Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted report card (2026) 2.5 miles
- Portland Academy Special school · Ages 11–19 · Ofsted: Good 3.1 miles
- Hope Wood Academy Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted: Good 3.1 miles
Other mainstream schools
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Murton Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 11.8%, EHC plans 0.8% 0.3 miles
- Westlea Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 28.7%, EHC plans 4% 1.5 miles
- South Hetton Primary Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 21.8%, EHC plans 3% 1.7 miles
All mainstream schools in County Durham SEND schools in County Durham
Questions about Ribbon School
How many pupils at Ribbon School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 137 of the 514 pupils (26.7%) were getting SEN support and 10 (1.9%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Ribbon School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (72 pupils), visual impairment (16 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (14 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Ribbon School?
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 Ribbon School?
Through County Durham 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 Ribbon School?
You can ask for Ribbon School 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 Ribbon School 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 Seaview Primary School, about 1.6 miles away.
Where is Ribbon School?
Barnes Road, Murton, Seaham, SR7 9QR, in County Durham.
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.