Hilltop Primary School is a mainstream primary school in Crawley, West Sussex, for children aged 3 to 11. In January 2026, 114 of its 658 pupils (17.3%) were getting SEN support and 22 (3.3%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 3–11
- 658 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in West Sussex.
17.3% get SEN support
114 of 658 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
3.3% have an EHC plan
22 of 658 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication68
- Social, emotional and mental health27
- Autism21
- Moderate learning difficulty16
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
- 658 (places for 630)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Abby MCNIVEN Mr Ross FARNDON
- Part of
- The Kemnal Academies Trust
- Free school meals
- 27.7% of pupils eligible
- Council
- West Sussex
- School reference (URN)
- 138648
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 West Sussex 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, June 2014; school remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (March 2024)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in June 2014. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
Since then: School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (ungraded inspection, March 2024).
Contact and getting there
Ditchling Hill, Southgate West, Crawley, RH11 8QL
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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
- Thomas Bennett Community College Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 0.4 miles
- Desmond Anderson Primary Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.5 miles
- Manor Green Primary School Special school · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Outstanding 1.2 miles
- Manor Green College Special school · Ages 11–19 · Ofsted: Good 1.2 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Southgate Primary Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 20.2%, EHC plans 4.1% 0.2 miles
- St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School, Crawley Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 12.5%, EHC plans 1.2% 0.5 miles
- Broadfield Primary Academy Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 18.9%, EHC plans 2.2% 0.5 miles
All mainstream schools in West Sussex SEND schools in West Sussex
Questions about Hilltop Primary School
How many pupils at Hilltop Primary School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 114 of the 658 pupils (17.3%) were getting SEN support and 22 (3.3%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Hilltop Primary School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (68 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (27 pupils) and autism (21 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Hilltop Primary 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 Hilltop Primary School?
Through West Sussex 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 Hilltop Primary School?
You can ask for Hilltop Primary 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 Hilltop Primary 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 Thomas Bennett Community College, about 0.4 miles away.
Where is Hilltop Primary School?
Ditchling Hill, Southgate West, Crawley, RH11 8QL, in West Sussex.
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.