SEN2gether

Cleves Cross Primary and Nursery School Academy is a mainstream primary school in Ferryhill, County Durham, for children aged 3 to 11. In January 2026, 53 of its 248 pupils (21.4%) were getting SEN support and 7 (2.8%) had an EHC plan.

  • Ages 3–11
  • 248 pupils

Special educational needs here

From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in County Durham.

21.4% get SEN support

53 of 248 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.

  • This school21.4%
  • England15.4%
  • County Durham19.3%

Higher than the England average.

2.8% have an EHC plan

7 of 248 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.

  • This school2.8%
  • England4.1%
  • County Durham3.4%

Lower than the England average.

Most common needs

  • Speech, language and communication27
  • Autism7
  • Social, emotional and mental health7

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 11
Boys and girls
Boys and girls
Pupils
248 (places for 210)
Headteacher
Mrs Christine Brentnall
Part of
Melrose Learning Trust
Free school meals
30.4% of pupils eligible
Council
County Durham
School reference (URN)
140324

How SEN support works

4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. An EHC needs assessment

    If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask County Durham 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.

  4. 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

Graded by area, September 2024

Inspected in September 2024. Inspections from September 2024 to November 2025 graded each area but gave no overall grade.

  • Quality of educationGood
  • Behaviour and attitudesGood
  • Personal developmentOutstanding
  • Leadership and managementGood
  • Early yearsGood
  • SafeguardingEffective

Contact and getting there

Cleves Cross, Ferryhill, DL17 8QY

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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.

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Nearby

Specialist schools and SEN units

Other mainstream schools

All mainstream schools in County Durham SEND schools in County Durham

Questions about Cleves Cross Primary and Nursery School Academy

How many pupils at Cleves Cross Primary and Nursery School Academy have special educational needs?

In the January 2026 school census, 53 of the 248 pupils (21.4%) were getting SEN support and 7 (2.8%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.

What are the most common needs at Cleves Cross Primary and Nursery School Academy?

Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (27 pupils), autism (7 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (7 pupils).

Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Cleves Cross Primary and Nursery School 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 Cleves Cross Primary and Nursery School Academy?

Through County Durham 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 Cleves Cross Primary and Nursery School Academy?

You can ask for Cleves Cross Primary and Nursery School 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 Cleves Cross Primary and Nursery School 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 Woodham Academy, about 4.5 miles away.

Where is Cleves Cross Primary and Nursery School Academy?

Cleves Cross, Ferryhill, DL17 8QY, in County Durham.

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.

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