Dr Thomlinson Church of England Middle School is a mainstream middle school in Morpeth, Northumberland, for children and young people aged 9 to 13. In January 2026, 37 of its 184 pupils (20.1%) were getting SEN support and 13 (7.1%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 9–13
- 184 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Northumberland.
20.1% get SEN support
37 of 184 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
7.1% have an EHC plan
13 of 184 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health16
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia12
- Speech, language and communication8
- Moderate learning difficulty7
- Autism5
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 middle school
- Run as
- Academy
- Ages
- 9 to 13
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 184 (places for 240)
- Headteacher
- Mr Liam Murtagh
- Part of
- Cheviot Learning Trust
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 14.7% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Northumberland
- School reference (URN)
- 145639
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 Northumberland 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, March 2011; school remains Good (July 2022)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in March 2011. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, July 2022).
Contact and getting there
Silverton Lane, Rothbury, Morpeth, NE65 7RJ
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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
- Barndale School Special school · Ages 4–19 · Ofsted: Good 11 miles
- Red Row Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 12 miles
- Collingwood School & Media Arts College Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted: Good 14 miles
- Cambois Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 18 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Rothbury First School Primary · Ages 3–9 · SEN support 18.1%, EHC plans 2.1% 0.6 miles
- Thropton Village First School Primary · Ages 3–9 · SEN support 25%, EHC plans 0% 2.1 miles
- Swarland Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 10.5%, EHC plans 0% 6.5 miles
All mainstream schools in Northumberland SEND schools in Northumberland
Questions about Dr Thomlinson Church of England Middle School
How many pupils at Dr Thomlinson Church of England Middle School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 37 of the 184 pupils (20.1%) were getting SEN support and 13 (7.1%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Dr Thomlinson Church of England Middle School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (16 pupils), dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (12 pupils) and speech, language and communication needs (8 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Dr Thomlinson Church of England Middle 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 Dr Thomlinson Church of England Middle School?
Through Northumberland 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 Dr Thomlinson Church of England Middle School?
You can ask for Dr Thomlinson Church of England Middle 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 Dr Thomlinson Church of England Middle 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 Red Row Primary School, about 12 miles away.
Where is Dr Thomlinson Church of England Middle School?
Silverton Lane, Rothbury, Morpeth, NE65 7RJ, in Northumberland.
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.