Thomas Whitehead Church of England Academy is a mainstream primary school in Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire, for children aged 2 to 11. In January 2026, 28 of its 206 pupils (13.6%) were getting SEN support and 18 (8.7%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 2–11
- 206 pupils
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Central Bedfordshire.
13.6% get SEN support
28 of 206 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
8.7% have an EHC plan
18 of 206 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication28
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia7
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
- 206 (places for 352)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Natasha Chiswell
- Part of
- Diocese of St Albans Multi-Academy Trust
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 38.4% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Central Bedfordshire
- School reference (URN)
- 143850
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 Central Bedfordshire 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
Graded by area, June 2025
Inspected in June 2025. Inspections from September 2024 to November 2025 graded each area but gave no overall grade.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- Early yearsGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Angels Lane, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, LU5 5HH
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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
- The Chiltern School Special school · Ages 3–19 · Ofsted: Good 0.9 miles
- Chantry Primary Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.2 miles
- Stannard School Independent · Ages 5–18 · Ofsted: Good 1.2 miles
- Pastures Way Nursery School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–5 · Ofsted: Good 1.5 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Houghton Regis Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 9.3%, EHC plans 3.6% 0.3 miles
- Tithe Farm Primary School Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 10.6%, EHC plans 5.1% 0.3 miles
- St Vincent's Catholic Primary School Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 9.4%, EHC plans 4.7% 0.4 miles
All mainstream schools in Central Bedfordshire SEND schools in Central Bedfordshire
Questions about Thomas Whitehead Church of England Academy
How many pupils at Thomas Whitehead Church of England Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 28 of the 206 pupils (13.6%) were getting SEN support and 18 (8.7%) 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 Whitehead Church of England Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (28 pupils) and dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (7 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Thomas Whitehead Church of England 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 Whitehead Church of England Academy?
Through Central Bedfordshire 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 Whitehead Church of England Academy?
You can ask for Thomas Whitehead Church of England 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 Whitehead Church of England 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 Chantry Primary Academy, about 1.2 miles away.
Where is Thomas Whitehead Church of England Academy?
Angels Lane, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, LU5 5HH, in Central Bedfordshire.
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.