Sir Bernard Lovell Academy is a mainstream secondary school in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, for children and young people aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 201 of its 1,268 pupils (15.9%) were getting SEN support and 52 (4.1%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 1,268 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in South Gloucestershire.
15.9% get SEN support
201 of 1,268 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
4.1% have an EHC plan
52 of 1,268 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health77
- Autism46
- Moderate learning difficulty38
- Speech, language and communication36
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia35
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
- Academy (sponsored)
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,268 (places for 1,409)
- Headteacher
- Dr Robin Bassford (Principal)
- Part of
- Futura Learning Partnership
- Free school meals
- 18% of pupils eligible
- Council
- South Gloucestershire
- School reference (URN)
- 141665
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 South Gloucestershire 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
Report card, January 2026: Expected standard in 6 of 7 areas
Inspected in January 2026 under Ofsted’s new report cards, which grade each area separately, from Exceptional to Urgent improvement, instead of one overall grade.
- InclusionExpected standard
- Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
- AchievementExpected standard
- Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
- Post-16Needs attention
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
- SafeguardingMet
Contact and getting there
North Street, Oldland Common, Bristol, BS30 8TS
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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
- Neptune School Independent · Ages 8–16 · Ofsted: Good 0.6 miles
- Warmley Park School Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted: Good 1.0 mile
- Hanham Woods Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 2.2 miles
- Broomhill Infant & Nursery School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–7 · Ofsted: Good 2.9 miles
Other mainstream schools
- St Anne's Church of England Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 20%, EHC plans 4.4% 0.3 miles
- Redfield Edge Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 11%, EHC plans 2.5% 0.4 miles
- St Barnabas Church of England Primary School Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 14.8%, EHC plans 5.7% 0.6 miles
All mainstream schools in South Gloucestershire SEND schools in South Gloucestershire
Questions about Sir Bernard Lovell Academy
How many pupils at Sir Bernard Lovell Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 201 of the 1,268 pupils (15.9%) were getting SEN support and 52 (4.1%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Sir Bernard Lovell Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (77 pupils), autism (46 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (38 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Sir Bernard Lovell 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 Sir Bernard Lovell Academy?
Through South Gloucestershire 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 Sir Bernard Lovell Academy?
You can ask for Sir Bernard Lovell 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 Sir Bernard Lovell 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 Hanham Woods Academy, about 2.2 miles away.
Where is Sir Bernard Lovell Academy?
North Street, Oldland Common, Bristol, BS30 8TS, in South Gloucestershire.
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.