Rainford High School is a mainstream secondary school in St Helens, St. Helens, for children and young people aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 306 of its 1,646 pupils (18.6%) were getting SEN support and 170 (10.3%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 1,646 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in St. Helens.
18.6% get SEN support
306 of 1,646 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
10.3% have an EHC plan
170 of 1,646 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia155
- Social, emotional and mental health109
- Autism83
- Moderate learning difficulty45
- Speech, language and communication23
- Visual impairment5
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
- Academy
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,646 (places for 1,650)
- Headteacher
- Mr Ian Young (Principal)
- Part of
- Everyone Matters Schools Trust
- Free school meals
- 16% of pupils eligible
- Council
- St. Helens
- School reference (URN)
- 144327
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 St. Helens 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
Report card, January 2026: Expected standard in every area
Inspected in January 2026 under Ofsted’s new report cards, which grade each area separately, from Exceptional to Urgent improvement, instead of one overall grade.
- InclusionExpected standard
- Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
- AchievementExpected standard
- Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
- Post-16Expected standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
- SafeguardingMet
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, September 2021).
Contact and getting there
Higher Lane, Rainford, St Helens, WA11 8NY
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
- A.R.T.S. Education Independent · Ages 11–17 · Ofsted: Good 0.4 miles
- Moss View School Independent · Ages 5–11 2.1 miles
- St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 2.5 miles
- Delph Side Community Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 2.7 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Rainford Brook Lodge Community Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 7.4%, EHC plans 1.4% 0.1 miles
- Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 20.5%, EHC plans 10.2% 0.3 miles
- Rainford CofE Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 9.6%, EHC plans 3.5% 0.4 miles
All mainstream schools in St. Helens SEND schools in St. Helens
Questions about Rainford High School
How many pupils at Rainford High School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 306 of the 1,646 pupils (18.6%) were getting SEN support and 170 (10.3%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Rainford High School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (155 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (109 pupils) and autism (83 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Rainford High 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 Rainford High School?
Through St. Helens 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 Rainford High School?
You can ask for Rainford High 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 Rainford High 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 St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School, about 2.5 miles away.
Where is Rainford High School?
Higher Lane, Rainford, St Helens, WA11 8NY, in St. Helens.
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.