Ark Ayrton Primary Academy is a mainstream primary school in Portsmouth for children aged 2 to 11. In January 2026, 45 of its 495 pupils (9.1%) were getting SEN support and 42 (8.5%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 2–11
- 495 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Portsmouth.
9.1% get SEN support
45 of 495 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
8.5% have an EHC plan
42 of 495 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication46
- Social, emotional and mental health20
- Moderate learning difficulty5
- 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 (sponsored)
- Ages
- 2 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 495 (places for 510)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Sophie Bennett-Acres (Primary Principal)
- Part of
- Ark Schools
- Free school meals
- 62.8% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Portsmouth
- School reference (URN)
- 139713
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 Portsmouth 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 2018; school remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (July 2024)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in November 2018. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
- Early yearsGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next (ungraded inspection, July 2024).
Contact and getting there
Somers Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 4LS
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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
- Arundel Court Primary Academy and Nursery Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted report card (2026) 0.4 miles
- Penbridge Infant School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–7 · Ofsted: Good 0.4 miles
- Mary Rose Academy Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted report card (2026) 1.2 miles
- The Harbour School Special school · Ages 5–19 · Ofsted report card (2026) 1.9 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Ark Charter Academy Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 19.6%, EHC plans 3.4% 0.2 miles
- St John's Cathedral Catholic Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 12.7%, EHC plans 7.6% 0.2 miles
- St Edmund's Catholic School Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 11.2%, EHC plans 2.7% 0.3 miles
All mainstream schools in Portsmouth SEND schools in Portsmouth
Questions about Ark Ayrton Primary Academy
How many pupils at Ark Ayrton Primary Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 45 of the 495 pupils (9.1%) were getting SEN support and 42 (8.5%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Ark Ayrton Primary Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (46 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (20 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (5 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Ark Ayrton Primary Academy?
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 Ark Ayrton Primary Academy?
Through Portsmouth 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 Ark Ayrton Primary Academy?
You can ask for Ark Ayrton Primary Academy 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 Ark Ayrton Primary Academy 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 Arundel Court Primary Academy and Nursery, about 0.4 miles away.
Where is Ark Ayrton Primary Academy?
Somers Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 4LS, in Portsmouth.
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.