Leigh Academy Paddock Wood is a mainstream primary school in Tonbridge, Kent, for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 41 of its 618 pupils (6.6%) were getting SEN support and 11 (1.8%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–11
- 618 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Kent.
6.6% get SEN support
41 of 618 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
1.8% have an EHC plan
11 of 618 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication12
- Autism11
- Social, emotional and mental health8
- Moderate learning difficulty7
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
- 618 (places for 630)
- Headteacher
- Mr Thomas Moore
- Part of
- Leigh Academies Trust
- Free school meals
- 22.2% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Kent
- School reference (URN)
- 147409
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 Kent 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, November 2023
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in November 2023.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
- Personal developmentOutstanding
- Leadership and managementGood
- Early yearsGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Old Kent Road, Paddock Wood, Tonbridge, TN12 6JE
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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
- The Quest School Independent · Ages 5–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 1.3 miles
- Oakley School Special school · Ages 4–19 · Ofsted: Good 4.3 miles
- Cage Green Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 5.0 miles
- Slade Primary School and Attached Unit for Children with Hearing Impairment Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 5.1 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Leigh Academy Mascalls Secondary · Ages 11–18 · SEN support 16.4%, EHC plans 1.6% 0.7 miles
- Capel Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 12.9%, EHC plans 0.5% 1.7 miles
- Brenchley and Matfield Church of England Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 12.4%, EHC plans 0.5% 1.9 miles
Questions about Leigh Academy Paddock Wood
How many pupils at Leigh Academy Paddock Wood have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 41 of the 618 pupils (6.6%) were getting SEN support and 11 (1.8%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Leigh Academy Paddock Wood?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (12 pupils), autism (11 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (8 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Leigh Academy Paddock Wood?
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 Leigh Academy Paddock Wood?
Through Kent 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 Leigh Academy Paddock Wood?
You can ask for Leigh Academy Paddock Wood 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 Leigh Academy Paddock Wood 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 Cage Green Primary School, about 5.0 miles away.
Where is Leigh Academy Paddock Wood?
Old Kent Road, Paddock Wood, Tonbridge, TN12 6JE, in Kent.
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.