The Friary School is a mainstream secondary school in Lichfield, Staffordshire, for children and young people aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 149 of its 1,255 pupils (11.9%) were getting SEN support and 21 (1.7%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 1,255 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Staffordshire.
11.9% get SEN support
149 of 1,255 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
1.7% have an EHC plan
21 of 1,255 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Moderate learning difficulty72
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia31
- Autism29
- Social, emotional and mental health22
- Speech, language and communication7
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 18
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,255 (places for 1,250)
- Headteacher
- Mr Mark Drury
- Part of
- Primitas Learning Partnership
- Free school meals
- 19% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Staffordshire
- School reference (URN)
- 146907
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 Staffordshire 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 2014; school remains Good (March 2024)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in March 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, March 2024).
Contact and getting there
Eastern Avenue, Lichfield, WS13 7EW
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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
- Maple Hayes Hall School Independent · Ages 7–17 · Ofsted: Good 0.9 miles
- Rocklands School Special school · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.0 mile
- Ogley Hay Nursery School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–5 · Ofsted: Outstanding 4.8 miles
- Norton Canes High School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Requires improvement 5.1 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Chadsmead Primary Academy Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 23.9%, EHC plans 1.1% 0.6 miles
- Willows Primary Academy Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 15.4%, EHC plans 2.8% 0.8 miles
- Christ Church CofE (C) Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 8.6%, EHC plans 0.7% 1.0 mile
All mainstream schools in Staffordshire SEND schools in Staffordshire
Questions about The Friary School
How many pupils at The Friary School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 149 of the 1,255 pupils (11.9%) were getting SEN support and 21 (1.7%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at The Friary School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are moderate learning difficulties (72 pupils), dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (31 pupils) and autism (29 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at The Friary 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 The Friary School?
Through Staffordshire 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 The Friary School?
You can ask for The Friary 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 The Friary 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 Ogley Hay Nursery School, about 4.8 miles away.
Where is The Friary School?
Eastern Avenue, Lichfield, WS13 7EW, in Staffordshire.
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.