Derby Cathedral School is a mainstream secondary school in Derby for children and young people aged 11 to 19. In January 2026, 157 of its 1,159 pupils (13.5%) were getting SEN support and 26 (2.2%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–19
- 1,159 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Derby.
13.5% get SEN support
157 of 1,159 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
2.2% have an EHC plan
26 of 1,159 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism46
- Social, emotional and mental health36
- Moderate learning difficulty33
- Speech, language and communication22
- Physical disability13
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia11
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
- Free school
- Ages
- 11 to 19
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,159 (places for 1,260)
- Headteacher
- Mr Andy Brown
- Part of
- Derby Diocesan Academy Trust
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 56.6% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Derby
- School reference (URN)
- 143734
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 Derby 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 2023
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in January 2023.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Great Northern Road, Derby, DE1 1LR
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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
- Jasmine Hall School Independent · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 0.4 miles
- Central Community Nursery School Mainstream + base · Ages 0–5 · Ofsted report card (2026) 0.5 miles
- The Bemrose School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–19 · Ofsted: Good 0.5 miles
- Aurora Ryefields School Independent · Ages 5–19 0.6 miles
Other mainstream schools
Questions about Derby Cathedral School
How many pupils at Derby Cathedral School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 157 of the 1,159 pupils (13.5%) were getting SEN support and 26 (2.2%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Derby Cathedral School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (46 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (36 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (33 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Derby Cathedral 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 Derby Cathedral School?
Through Derby 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 Derby Cathedral School?
You can ask for Derby Cathedral 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 Derby Cathedral 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 Central Community Nursery School, about 0.5 miles away.
Where is Derby Cathedral School?
Great Northern Road, Derby, DE1 1LR, in Derby.
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.