Thomas Harding Junior School is a mainstream primary school in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, for children aged 7 to 11. In January 2026, 49 of its 238 pupils (20.6%) were getting SEN support and 5 (2.1%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 7–11
- 238 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Buckinghamshire.
20.6% get SEN support
49 of 238 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
2.1% have an EHC plan
5 of 238 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication22
- Social, emotional and mental health19
- Moderate learning difficulty7
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
- 7 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 238 (places for 240)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Samantha Ruddell
- Part of
- Oxford Diocesan Bucks Schools Trust
- Free school meals
- 28.6% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Buckinghamshire
- School reference (URN)
- 145069
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 Buckinghamshire 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, May 2026: Expected standard in 4 of 6 areas
Inspected in May 2026 under Ofsted’s new report cards, which grade each area separately, from Exceptional to Urgent improvement, instead of one overall grade.
- InclusionStrong standard
- Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
- AchievementExpected standard
- Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
- Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
- SafeguardingMet
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, November 2021).
Contact and getting there
Thomas Harding Junior School, Fullers Hill, Thomas Harding Junior School, Chesham, HP5 1LR
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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
- Elmtree Infant and Nursery School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–7 · Ofsted: Good 0.7 miles
- Heritage House School Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted: Good 0.9 miles
- Stony Dean School Special school · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Outstanding 2.5 miles
- The Misbourne School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted report card (2026) 3.8 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Our Lady's Catholic Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 6.6%, EHC plans 2.4% 0.8 miles
- Chiltern Hills Academy Secondary · Ages 11–18 · SEN support 11.3%, EHC plans 5% 0.8 miles
- Waterside Primary Academy Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 16%, EHC plans 3.6% 0.8 miles
All mainstream schools in Buckinghamshire SEND schools in Buckinghamshire
Questions about Thomas Harding Junior School
How many pupils at Thomas Harding Junior School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 49 of the 238 pupils (20.6%) were getting SEN support and 5 (2.1%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Thomas Harding Junior School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (22 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (19 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (7 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Thomas Harding Junior 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 Thomas Harding Junior School?
Through Buckinghamshire 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 Thomas Harding Junior School?
You can ask for Thomas Harding Junior 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 Thomas Harding Junior 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 Elmtree Infant and Nursery School, about 0.7 miles away.
Where is Thomas Harding Junior School?
Thomas Harding Junior School, Fullers Hill, Thomas Harding Junior School, Chesham, HP5 1LR, in Buckinghamshire.
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.