Topcliffe CofE Academy is a mainstream primary school in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, for children aged 2 to 11. In January 2026, 26 of its 116 pupils (22.4%) were getting SEN support and 4 (3.4%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 2–11
- 116 pupils
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in North Yorkshire.
22.4% get SEN support
26 of 116 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
3.4% have an EHC plan
4 of 116 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia12
- Speech, language and communication8
- Autism6
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
- 2 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 116 (places for 112)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Abigail Clay
- Part of
- Elevate Multi Academy Trust
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 9.3% of pupils eligible
- Council
- North Yorkshire
- School reference (URN)
- 144840
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 North Yorkshire 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, April 2025; school remains Good (March 2020)
Inspected in April 2025. Inspections from September 2024 to November 2025 graded each area but gave no overall grade.
- Quality of educationOutstanding
- Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
- Personal developmentOutstanding
- Leadership and managementOutstanding
- Early yearsOutstanding
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, March 2020).
Contact and getting there
School Lane, Topcliffe, Thirsk, YO7 3RG
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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
- Dishforth Airfield Community Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Outstanding 3.2 miles
- Breckenbrough School Special school · Ages 9–19 · Ofsted: Good 4.4 miles
- Cambian Spring Hill Independent · Ages 8–19 · Ofsted: Good 6.4 miles
- Alverton Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 11 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Alanbrooke Academy Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 29.6%, EHC plans 3.7% 1.6 miles
- Dishforth Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 16.5%, EHC plans 1% 2.3 miles
- Keeble Gateway Academy Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 12.3%, EHC plans 6.4% 2.9 miles
All mainstream schools in North Yorkshire SEND schools in North Yorkshire
Questions about Topcliffe CofE Academy
How many pupils at Topcliffe CofE Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 26 of the 116 pupils (22.4%) were getting SEN support and 4 (3.4%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Topcliffe CofE Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (12 pupils), speech, language and communication needs (8 pupils) and autism (6 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Topcliffe CofE 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 Topcliffe CofE Academy?
Through North Yorkshire 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 Topcliffe CofE Academy?
You can ask for Topcliffe CofE 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 Topcliffe CofE 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 Dishforth Airfield Community Primary School, about 3.2 miles away.
Where is Topcliffe CofE Academy?
School Lane, Topcliffe, Thirsk, YO7 3RG, in North Yorkshire.
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.