The James Hornsby School is a mainstream secondary school in Basildon, Essex, for children and young people aged 11 to 16. In January 2026, 185 of its 1,040 pupils (17.8%) were getting SEN support and 40 (3.8%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–16
- 1,040 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Essex.
17.8% get SEN support
185 of 1,040 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
3.8% have an EHC plan
40 of 1,040 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 communication143
- Social, emotional and mental health54
- Moderate learning difficulty28
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 (sponsored)
- Ages
- 11 to 16
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,040 (places for 900)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Tammy Nicholls
- Part of
- Zenith Multi Academy Trust
- Free school meals
- 48% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Essex
- School reference (URN)
- 138865
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 Essex 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, February 2026: Expected standard in 4 of 6 areas
Inspected in February 2026 under Ofsted’s new report cards, which grade each area separately, from Exceptional to Urgent improvement, instead of one overall grade.
- InclusionExpected standard
- Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
- AchievementNeeds attention
- Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
- Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
- SafeguardingMet
Contact and getting there
Leinster Road, Basildon, SS15 5NX
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
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The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Merrylands Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 0.8 miles
- Ghyllgrove Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 1.2 miles
- The Bridge Pioneer Special school · Ages 3–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 1.5 miles
- Castledon School Special school · Ages 5–19 3.9 miles
Other mainstream schools
Questions about The James Hornsby School
How many pupils at The James Hornsby School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 185 of the 1,040 pupils (17.8%) were getting SEN support and 40 (3.8%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at The James Hornsby School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (143 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (54 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (28 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at The James Hornsby 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 The James Hornsby School?
Through Essex 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 The James Hornsby School?
You can ask for The James Hornsby 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 The James Hornsby 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 Merrylands Primary School, about 0.8 miles away.
Where is The James Hornsby School?
Leinster Road, Basildon, SS15 5NX, in Essex.
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.