Ferryhill School is a mainstream secondary school in Ferryhill, County Durham, for children and young people aged 11 to 16. In January 2026, 156 of its 727 pupils (21.5%) were getting SEN support and 24 (3.3%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–16
- 727 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in County Durham.
21.5% get SEN support
156 of 727 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
3.3% have an EHC plan
24 of 727 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Moderate learning difficulty62
- Autism49
- Social, emotional and mental health41
- Speech, language and communication14
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia6
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 16
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 727 (places for 915)
- Headteacher
- Mr Kevin Brennan
- Part of
- Eden Learning Trust
- Free school meals
- 50% of pupils eligible
- Council
- County Durham
- School reference (URN)
- 145253
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 County Durham 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, November 2014; school remains Good (September 2022)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in November 2014. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, September 2022).
Contact and getting there
Merrington Road, Ferryhill, DL17 8RW
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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
- The Oaks Secondary School Special school · Ages 11–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 1.5 miles
- Norman Cornish Academy Special school · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Requires improvement 1.9 miles
- Woodham Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 4.1 miles
- Timothy Hackworth Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 4.9 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Dean Bank Primary and Nursery School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 11%, EHC plans 3.3% 0.6 miles
- Kirk Merrington Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 15.6%, EHC plans 3.9% 1.0 mile
- Broom Cottages Primary & Nursery School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 22.8%, EHC plans 3.7% 1.2 miles
All mainstream schools in County Durham SEND schools in County Durham
Questions about Ferryhill School
How many pupils at Ferryhill School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 156 of the 727 pupils (21.5%) were getting SEN support and 24 (3.3%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Ferryhill School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are moderate learning difficulties (62 pupils), autism (49 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (41 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Ferryhill 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 Ferryhill School?
Through County Durham 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 Ferryhill School?
You can ask for Ferryhill 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 Ferryhill 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 Woodham Academy, about 4.1 miles away.
Where is Ferryhill School?
Merrington Road, Ferryhill, DL17 8RW, in County Durham.
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.