Penkridge Middle School is a mainstream middle school in Stafford, Staffordshire, for children and young people aged 9 to 13. In January 2026, 73 of its 509 pupils (14.3%) were getting SEN support and 21 (4.1%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 9–13
- 509 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Staffordshire.
14.3% get SEN support
73 of 509 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
4.1% have an EHC plan
21 of 509 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 health27
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia21
- Speech, language and communication16
- Autism13
- Moderate learning difficulty13
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 middle school
- Run as
- Academy
- Ages
- 9 to 13
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 509 (places for 500)
- Headteacher
- Mr Andrew Grocutt (Acting Head Teacher)
- Part of
- Penk Valley Academy Trust
- Free school meals
- 15.3% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Staffordshire
- School reference (URN)
- 144206
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 Staffordshire 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, February 2017; school remains Good (June 2022)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in February 2017. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, June 2022).
Contact and getting there
Marsh Lane, Penkridge, Stafford, ST19 5BW
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
- Longridge School Independent · Ages 7–18 · Ofsted: Good 1.4 miles
- The Haven School Independent · Ages 11–19 · Ofsted: Good 2.0 miles
- Littleton Green Community School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 2.9 miles
- Cannock Chase High School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 4.2 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Marshbrook First School Primary · Ages 2–9 · SEN support 10.8%, EHC plans 5.7% 0.2 miles
- St Michael's CofE (A) First School Primary · Ages 3–9 · SEN support 13.5%, EHC plans 1.4% 0.4 miles
- Princefield First School Primary · Ages 3–9 · SEN support 12.6%, EHC plans 1.2% 0.5 miles
All mainstream schools in Staffordshire SEND schools in Staffordshire
Questions about Penkridge Middle School
How many pupils at Penkridge Middle School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 73 of the 509 pupils (14.3%) were getting SEN support and 21 (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 Penkridge Middle School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (27 pupils), dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (21 pupils) and speech, language and communication needs (16 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Penkridge Middle 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 Penkridge Middle School?
Through Staffordshire 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 Penkridge Middle School?
You can ask for Penkridge Middle 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 Penkridge Middle 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 Littleton Green Community School, about 2.9 miles away.
Where is Penkridge Middle School?
Marsh Lane, Penkridge, Stafford, ST19 5BW, in Staffordshire.
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.