Blackthorns Community Primary School is a mainstream primary school in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 19 of its 203 pupils (9.4%) were getting SEN support and 7 (3.4%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–11
- 203 pupils
- Ofsted: Outstanding
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in West Sussex.
9.4% get SEN support
19 of 203 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
3.4% have an EHC plan
7 of 203 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication13
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
- 4 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 203 (places for 210)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Emma Saunders (Principal)
- Part of
- Hurst Education Trust Limited
- Free school meals
- 3% of pupils eligible
- Council
- West Sussex
- School reference (URN)
- 141892
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 West Sussex 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 Outstanding, September 2018; some aspects not as strong (April 2025)
Rated Outstanding at its last graded inspection, in September 2018. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementOutstanding
- Early yearsOutstanding
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: Some aspects not as strong (ungraded inspection, April 2025).
Contact and getting there
3 Blackthorns Close, Lindfield, Haywards Heath, RH16 2UA
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
- Warden Park Secondary Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted report card (2026) 2.0 miles
- Central Education Ltd Independent · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Requires improvement 2.4 miles
- Chailey Heritage School Special school · Ages 3–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 3.6 miles
- Chailey St Peter's Church of England Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 4.5 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Lindfield Primary Academy Primary · Ages 5–11 · SEN support 12.7%, EHC plans 2% 0.2 miles
- Oathall Community College Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 22%, EHC plans 3.4% 0.2 miles
- Warden Park Primary Academy Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 15.5%, EHC plans 4.4% 0.7 miles
All mainstream schools in West Sussex SEND schools in West Sussex
Questions about Blackthorns Community Primary School
How many pupils at Blackthorns Community Primary School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 19 of the 203 pupils (9.4%) were getting SEN support and 7 (3.4%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Blackthorns Community Primary School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (13 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Blackthorns Community Primary School?
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 Blackthorns Community Primary School?
Through West Sussex 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 Blackthorns Community Primary School?
You can ask for Blackthorns Community Primary School 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 Blackthorns Community Primary School 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 Warden Park Secondary Academy, about 2.0 miles away.
Where is Blackthorns Community Primary School?
3 Blackthorns Close, Lindfield, Haywards Heath, RH16 2UA, in West Sussex.
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.