Hitchin Boys' School is a mainstream secondary school in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, for boys aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 243 of its 1,364 pupils (17.8%) were getting SEN support and 39 (2.9%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 1,364 pupils
- Boys only
- Ofsted report card (2025)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Hertfordshire.
17.8% get SEN support
243 of 1,364 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
2.9% have an EHC plan
39 of 1,364 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health85
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia84
- Autism45
- Moderate learning difficulty27
- Speech, language and communication17
- Hearing impairment8
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
- 11 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Boys only
- Pupils
- 1,364 (places for 1,400)
- Headteacher
- Mr Timothy Bennett
- Part of
- Hitchin Boys' School
- Free school meals
- 8.8% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Hertfordshire
- School reference (URN)
- 139154
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 Hertfordshire 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, November 2025: Exceptional in 4 of 7 areas
Inspected in November 2025 under Ofsted’s new report cards, which grade each area separately, from Exceptional to Urgent improvement, instead of one overall grade.
- InclusionExceptional
- Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
- AchievementStrong standard
- Attendance and behaviourExceptional
- Personal development and wellbeingExceptional
- Post-16Strong standard
- Leadership and governanceExceptional
- SafeguardingMet
Since then: School remains Outstanding (ungraded inspection, September 2021).
Contact and getting there
Grammar School Walk, Hitchin, SG5 1JB
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
- The Priory School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 0.8 miles
- Lordship Farm Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted report card (2026) 2.5 miles
- Woolgrove School, Special Needs Academy Special school · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 3.6 miles
- Brandles School Special school · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 4.4 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Wilshere-Dacre Junior Academy Primary · Ages 7–11 · SEN support 16.7%, EHC plans 6% 0.2 miles
- Samuel Lucas Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 9.6%, EHC plans 3.8% 0.4 miles
- Hitchin Girls' School Secondary · Ages 11–18 · SEN support 10.5%, EHC plans 2.1% 0.4 miles
All mainstream schools in Hertfordshire SEND schools in Hertfordshire
Questions about Hitchin Boys' School
How many pupils at Hitchin Boys' School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 243 of the 1,364 pupils (17.8%) were getting SEN support and 39 (2.9%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Hitchin Boys' School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (85 pupils), dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (84 pupils) and autism (45 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Hitchin Boys' 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 Hitchin Boys' School?
Through Hertfordshire 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 Hitchin Boys' School?
You can ask for Hitchin Boys' 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 Hitchin Boys' 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 The Priory School, about 0.8 miles away.
Where is Hitchin Boys' School?
Grammar School Walk, Hitchin, SG5 1JB, in Hertfordshire.
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.