Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary and Nursery Academy is a mainstream primary school in Thetford, Norfolk, for children aged 2 to 11. In January 2026, 34 of its 229 pupils (14.8%) were getting SEN support and 11 (4.8%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 2–11
- 229 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Norfolk.
14.8% get SEN support
34 of 229 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
4.8% have an EHC plan
11 of 229 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism14
- Social, emotional and mental health11
- Speech, language and communication10
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
- 229 (places for 236)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Shannon O'Sullivan
- Part of
- The Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 12.7% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Norfolk
- School reference (URN)
- 141192
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 Norfolk 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, January 2020; improved significantly (April 2025)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in January 2020.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- Early yearsGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: Improved significantly (ungraded inspection, April 2025).
Contact and getting there
Pound Green, Shipdham, Thetford, IP25 7LF
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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
- Kingsbrook School Independent · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 3.3 miles
- King's Park Infant School, Dereham Mainstream + base · Ages 4–7 · Ofsted: Good 4.1 miles
- Dereham Neatherd High School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 4.2 miles
- Fred Nicholson School Special school · Ages 3–19 · Ofsted: Good 9.3 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Toftwood Infant School Primary · Ages 3–7 · SEN support 12.7%, EHC plans 5.4% 3.0 miles
- Dereham, Toftwood Community Junior School Primary · Ages 7–11 · SEN support 17.8%, EHC plans 2.2% 3.2 miles
- St Peter and St Paul Church of England Primary Academy & Nursery Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 10.7%, EHC plans 5.1% 3.4 miles
Questions about Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary and Nursery Academy
How many pupils at Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary and Nursery Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 34 of the 229 pupils (14.8%) were getting SEN support and 11 (4.8%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary and Nursery Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (14 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (11 pupils) and speech, language and communication needs (10 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary and Nursery 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 Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary and Nursery Academy?
Through Norfolk 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 Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary and Nursery Academy?
You can ask for Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary and Nursery 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 Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary and Nursery 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 King's Park Infant School, Dereham, about 4.1 miles away.
Where is Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary and Nursery Academy?
Pound Green, Shipdham, Thetford, IP25 7LF, in Norfolk.
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.