West Hill Primary Academy is a mainstream primary school in Dartford, Kent, for children aged 5 to 11. In January 2026, 48 of its 542 pupils (8.9%) were getting SEN support and 18 (3.3%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 5–11
- 542 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Kent.
8.9% get SEN support
48 of 542 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
3.3% have an EHC plan
18 of 542 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication25
- Social, emotional and mental health14
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia12
- Autism10
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
- 5 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 542 (places for 507)
- Headteacher
- Ms Katy Ward (Executive Head Teacher)
- Part of
- The Golden Thread Alliance
- Free school meals
- 17.5% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Kent
- School reference (URN)
- 144668
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 Kent 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 6 of 7 areas
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 wellbeingStrong standard
- Early yearsExpected standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
- SafeguardingMet
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, October 2021).
Contact and getting there
Dartford Road, Dartford, DA1 3DZ
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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
- Haberdashers' Crayford Primary Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.0 mile
- Oakfield Primary Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.0 mile
- Shenstone School Special school · Ages 2–19 1.4 miles
- Endeavour Academy Bexley Special school · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 1.6 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Dartford Grammar School Secondary · Ages 11–18 · SEN support 5.7%, EHC plans 0.6% 0.2 miles
- Our Lady's Catholic Primary School, Dartford Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 14.2%, EHC plans 3.7% 0.3 miles
- Dartford Grammar School for Girls Secondary · Ages 11–18 · SEN support 4.5%, EHC plans 0.4% 0.3 miles
Questions about West Hill Primary Academy
How many pupils at West Hill Primary Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 48 of the 542 pupils (8.9%) were getting SEN support and 18 (3.3%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at West Hill Primary Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (25 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (14 pupils) and dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (12 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at West Hill Primary 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 West Hill Primary Academy?
Through Kent 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 West Hill Primary Academy?
You can ask for West Hill Primary 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 West Hill Primary 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 Haberdashers' Crayford Primary, about 1.0 mile away.
Where is West Hill Primary Academy?
Dartford Road, Dartford, DA1 3DZ, in Kent.
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.