Gothic Mede Academy is a mainstream primary school in Arlesey, Central Bedfordshire, for children aged 3 to 9. In January 2026, 56 of its 249 pupils (22.5%) were getting SEN support and 30 (12%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 3–9
- 249 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Central Bedfordshire.
22.5% get SEN support
56 of 249 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
12% have an EHC plan
30 of 249 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health40
- Speech, language and communication26
- Moderate learning difficulty10
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 9
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 249 (places for 300)
- Headteacher
- Mr Thomas Clarke (Principal)
- Part of
- Bedfordshire Schools Trust Limited
- Free school meals
- 20.3% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Central Bedfordshire
- School reference (URN)
- 140281
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 Central Bedfordshire 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 2017; school remains Good (March 2023)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in June 2017. 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 (ungraded inspection, March 2023).
Contact and getting there
High Street, Arlesey, SG15 6SL
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
- Samuel Whitbread Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 13–18 · Ofsted: Good 3.1 miles
- The Priory School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 3.3 miles
- Brandles School Special school · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 3.5 miles
- Woolgrove School, Special Needs Academy Special school · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 3.5 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Fairfield Park Lower School Primary · Ages 3–9 · SEN support 20.3%, EHC plans 2.5% 0.9 miles
- Etonbury Academy Middle · Ages 9–19 · SEN support 11.3%, EHC plans 2.8% 1.0 mile
- Pix Brook Academy Middle · Ages 9–16 · SEN support 9.6%, EHC plans 5.5% 1.4 miles
All mainstream schools in Central Bedfordshire SEND schools in Central Bedfordshire
Questions about Gothic Mede Academy
How many pupils at Gothic Mede Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 56 of the 249 pupils (22.5%) were getting SEN support and 30 (12%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Gothic Mede Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (40 pupils), speech, language and communication needs (26 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (10 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Gothic Mede 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 Gothic Mede Academy?
Through Central Bedfordshire 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 Gothic Mede Academy?
You can ask for Gothic Mede 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 Gothic Mede 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 Samuel Whitbread Academy, about 3.1 miles away.
Where is Gothic Mede Academy?
High Street, Arlesey, SG15 6SL, in Central Bedfordshire.
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.