Co-op Academy Friarswood is a mainstream primary school in Newcastle, Staffordshire, for children aged 3 to 11. In January 2026, 26 of its 214 pupils (12.1%) were getting SEN support and 2 (0.9%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 3–11
- 214 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Staffordshire.
12.1% get SEN support
26 of 214 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
0.9% have an EHC plan
2 of 214 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health9
- Speech, language and communication7
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
- 3 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 214 (places for 210)
- Headteacher
- Mrs L Wilmer
- Part of
- The Co-Operative Academies Trust
- Free school meals
- 1.9% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Staffordshire
- School reference (URN)
- 144207
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 2013; school remains Good (May 2023)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in February 2013. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, May 2023).
Contact and getting there
Abbots Way, Newcastle, ST5 2ES
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
- Coppice Academy Special school · Ages 11–16 0.2 miles
- Blackfriars Academy Special school · Ages 11–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.4 miles
- The Willows Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 1.5 miles
- The Orme Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 1.7 miles
Other mainstream schools
- St Giles' and St George's Church of England Academy Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 25.6%, EHC plans 3.9% 0.5 miles
- Langdale Primary School Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 13.6%, EHC plans 3.4% 0.5 miles
- Hassell Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 12.1%, EHC plans 4.6% 0.6 miles
All mainstream schools in Staffordshire SEND schools in Staffordshire
Questions about Co-op Academy Friarswood
How many pupils at Co-op Academy Friarswood have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 26 of the 214 pupils (12.1%) were getting SEN support and 2 (0.9%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Co-op Academy Friarswood?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (9 pupils) and speech, language and communication needs (7 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Co-op Academy Friarswood?
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 Co-op Academy Friarswood?
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 Co-op Academy Friarswood?
You can ask for Co-op Academy Friarswood 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 Co-op Academy Friarswood 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 The Willows Primary School, about 1.5 miles away.
Where is Co-op Academy Friarswood?
Abbots Way, Newcastle, ST5 2ES, 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.