The Brakenhale School is a mainstream secondary school in Bracknell, Bracknell Forest, for children and young people aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 148 of its 1,001 pupils (14.8%) were getting SEN support and 32 (3.2%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 1,001 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Bracknell Forest.
14.8% get SEN support
148 of 1,001 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
3.2% have an EHC plan
32 of 1,001 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 health52
- Autism48
- Speech, language and communication24
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia19
- 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.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream secondary school
- Run as
- Academy (sponsored)
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,001 (places for 1,275)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Camilla Douglas
- Part of
- Greenshaw Learning Trust
- Free school meals
- 21.9% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Bracknell Forest
- School reference (URN)
- 142577
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 Bracknell Forest 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 2019; school remains Good (May 2024)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in January 2019. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementOutstanding
- Sixth formOutstanding
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, May 2024).
Contact and getting there
Rectory Lane, Bracknell, RG12 7BA
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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
- Garth Hill College Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 0.9 miles
- Sandy Lane Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted report card (2026) 1.1 miles
- Kennel Lane School Special school · Ages 3–19 · Ofsted: Good 1.4 miles
- Odyssey House School Independent · Ages 7–18 2.1 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Fox Hill Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 24.8%, EHC plans 5.6% 0.2 miles
- Ranelagh School Secondary · Ages 11–18 · SEN support 4%, EHC plans 3.1% 0.4 miles
- Wildridings Primary School Primary · Ages 5–11 · SEN support 12.8%, EHC plans 1.5% 0.5 miles
All mainstream schools in Bracknell Forest SEND schools in Bracknell Forest
Questions about The Brakenhale School
How many pupils at The Brakenhale School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 148 of the 1,001 pupils (14.8%) were getting SEN support and 32 (3.2%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at The Brakenhale School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (52 pupils), autism (48 pupils) and speech, language and communication needs (24 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at The Brakenhale 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 The Brakenhale School?
Through Bracknell Forest 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 The Brakenhale School?
You can ask for The Brakenhale 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 The Brakenhale 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 Garth Hill College, about 0.9 miles away.
Where is The Brakenhale School?
Rectory Lane, Bracknell, RG12 7BA, in Bracknell Forest.
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.