The Swanage School is a mainstream secondary school in Swanage, Dorset, for children and young people aged 11 to 16. In January 2026, 83 of its 349 pupils (23.8%) were getting SEN support and 29 (8.3%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–16
- 349 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Dorset.
23.8% get SEN support
83 of 349 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
8.3% have an EHC plan
29 of 349 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia37
- Speech, language and communication19
- Social, emotional and mental health17
- Moderate learning difficulty9
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
- Free school
- Ages
- 11 to 16
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 349 (places for 360)
- Headteacher
- Ms Jennifer Maraspin
- Part of
- Education Swanage Limited
- Free school meals
- 31.9% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Dorset
- School reference (URN)
- 139376
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 Dorset 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, November 2023
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in November 2023.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentOutstanding
- Leadership and managementGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
High Street, Swanage, BH19 2PH
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
- Old Town Infant School and Nursery Mainstream + base · Ages 3–7 · Ofsted: Good 7.2 miles
- Victoria Education Centre Special school · Ages 3–19 · Ofsted: Good 7.3 miles
- Millie College Independent · Ages 16–25 8.2 miles
- Canford Heath Infant School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–7 · Ofsted: Outstanding 8.9 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 28.1%, EHC plans 6.7% 0.0 miles
- St George's Church of England Primary School, Langton Matravers Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 12.9%, EHC plans 5.9% 0.9 miles
- Swanage Primary School Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 9.9%, EHC plans 4.5% 1.0 mile
Questions about The Swanage School
How many pupils at The Swanage School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 83 of the 349 pupils (23.8%) were getting SEN support and 29 (8.3%) 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 Swanage School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (37 pupils), speech, language and communication needs (19 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (17 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at The Swanage 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 Swanage School?
Through Dorset 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 Swanage School?
You can ask for The Swanage 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 Swanage 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 Old Town Infant School and Nursery, about 7.2 miles away.
Where is The Swanage School?
High Street, Swanage, BH19 2PH, in Dorset.
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.