Francis Baily Primary School is a mainstream primary school in Thatcham, West Berkshire, for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 78 of its 491 pupils (15.9%) were getting SEN support and 15 (3.1%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–11
- 491 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in West Berkshire.
15.9% get SEN support
78 of 491 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
3.1% have an EHC plan
15 of 491 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism27
- Moderate learning difficulty26
- Social, emotional and mental health18
- Speech, language and communication13
- 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 primary school
- Run as
- Academy
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 491 (places for 567)
- Headteacher
- Miss Elizabeth Hobbs
- Part of
- Equinox Learning Trust
- Free school meals
- 17.3% of pupils eligible
- Council
- West Berkshire
- School reference (URN)
- 147273
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 West Berkshire 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, May 2026: Expected standard in 5 of 7 areas
Inspected in May 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 teachingNeeds attention
- AchievementNeeds attention
- Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
- Early yearsExpected standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
- SafeguardingMet
Contact and getting there
Skillman Drive, Thatcham, RG19 4GG
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
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The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Kennet School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 0.2 miles
- The Grange School Independent · Ages 7–16 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.7 miles
- Fir Tree Primary School and Nursery Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 2.2 miles
- Engaging Potential Independent · Ages 13–19 · Ofsted: Good 2.4 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Spurcroft Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 22.3%, EHC plans 3.7% 0.5 miles
- Thatcham Park CofE Primary Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 17.3%, EHC plans 2.5% 0.7 miles
- Whitelands Park Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 12.1%, EHC plans 3.2% 1.0 mile
All mainstream schools in West Berkshire SEND schools in West Berkshire
Questions about Francis Baily Primary School
How many pupils at Francis Baily Primary School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 78 of the 491 pupils (15.9%) were getting SEN support and 15 (3.1%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Francis Baily Primary School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (27 pupils), moderate learning difficulties (26 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (18 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Francis Baily Primary 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 Francis Baily Primary School?
Through West Berkshire 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 Francis Baily Primary School?
You can ask for Francis Baily Primary 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 Francis Baily Primary 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 Kennet School, about 0.2 miles away.
Where is Francis Baily Primary School?
Skillman Drive, Thatcham, RG19 4GG, in West Berkshire.
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.