St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Houghton is a mainstream primary school in Houghton le Spring, Sunderland, for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 25 of its 193 pupils (13%) were getting SEN support and 2 (1%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–11
- 193 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Sunderland.
13% get SEN support
25 of 193 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
1% have an EHC plan
2 of 193 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism8
- Social, emotional and mental health7
- Speech, language and communication6
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
- 4 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 193 (places for 210)
- Headteacher
- Mr Nicholas Reeson
- Part of
- Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust
- Faith
- Roman Catholic
- Free school meals
- 8.8% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Sunderland
- School reference (URN)
- 147131
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 Sunderland 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, June 2026: Strong standard in 5 of 7 areas
Inspected in June 2026 under Ofsted’s new report cards, which grade each area separately, from Exceptional to Urgent improvement, instead of one overall grade.
- InclusionExpected standard
- Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
- AchievementStrong standard
- Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
- Early yearsStrong standard
- Leadership and governanceStrong standard
- SafeguardingMet
Contact and getting there
Durham Road, Houghton le Spring, DH5 8NF
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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
- Hetton Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 1.2 miles
- Hetton Lyons Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted report card (2026) 1.6 miles
- The Poplars Independent · Ages 8–18 · Ofsted: Good 2.4 miles
- Portland Academy Special school · Ages 11–19 · Ofsted: Good 2.9 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Kepier Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 19.5%, EHC plans 1.8% 0.5 miles
- Bernard Gilpin Primary School Primary · Ages 5–11 · SEN support 16.5%, EHC plans 1% 0.5 miles
- Gillas Lane Primary Academy Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 24.6%, EHC plans 0% 0.7 miles
All mainstream schools in Sunderland SEND schools in Sunderland
Questions about St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Houghton
How many pupils at St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Houghton have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 25 of the 193 pupils (13%) were getting SEN support and 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 St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Houghton?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (8 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (7 pupils) and speech, language and communication needs (6 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Houghton?
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 St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Houghton?
Through Sunderland 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 St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Houghton?
You can ask for St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Houghton 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 St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Houghton 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 Hetton Academy, about 1.2 miles away.
Where is St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Houghton?
Durham Road, Houghton le Spring, DH5 8NF, in Sunderland.
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.