Whitworth Park Academy is a mainstream secondary school in Spennymoor, County Durham, for children and young people aged 11 to 16. In January 2026, 203 of its 996 pupils (20.4%) were getting SEN support and 25 (2.5%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–16
- 996 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in County Durham.
20.4% get SEN support
203 of 996 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
2.5% have an EHC plan
25 of 996 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Moderate learning difficulty83
- Social, emotional and mental health49
- Autism46
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia29
- Speech, language and communication13
- Physical disability5
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 (sponsored)
- Ages
- 11 to 16
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 996 (places for 1,300)
- Headteacher
- Mr Stuart Dixon
- Part of
- Advance Learning Partnership
- Free school meals
- 37.8% of pupils eligible
- Council
- County Durham
- School reference (URN)
- 145564
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, October 2022
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in October 2022.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Whitworth Lane, Spennymoor, DL16 7LN
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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
- Norman Cornish Academy Special school · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Requires improvement 0.3 miles
- The Oaks Secondary School Special school · Ages 11–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.3 miles
- Bishop Barrington Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 4.3 miles
- Timothy Hackworth Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 4.9 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Middlestone Moor Academy Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 16.2%, EHC plans 4.2% 0.3 miles
- Rosa Street Primary and Nursery Academy Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 27.3%, EHC plans 2.4% 0.3 miles
- King Street Primary School Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 33.9%, EHC plans 3.1% 0.8 miles
All mainstream schools in County Durham SEND schools in County Durham
Questions about Whitworth Park Academy
How many pupils at Whitworth Park Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 203 of the 996 pupils (20.4%) were getting SEN support and 25 (2.5%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Whitworth Park Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are moderate learning difficulties (83 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (49 pupils) and autism (46 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Whitworth Park 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 Whitworth Park Academy?
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 Whitworth Park Academy?
You can ask for Whitworth Park 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 Whitworth Park 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 Bishop Barrington Academy, about 4.3 miles away.
Where is Whitworth Park Academy?
Whitworth Lane, Spennymoor, DL16 7LN, 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.