Sandymoor Ormiston Academy is a mainstream secondary school in Runcorn, Halton, for children and young people aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 81 of its 631 pupils (12.8%) were getting SEN support and 26 (4.1%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 631 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Halton.
12.8% get SEN support
81 of 631 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
4.1% have an EHC plan
26 of 631 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health39
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia25
- Autism22
- Speech, language and communication14
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
- Free school
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 631 (places for 630)
- Headteacher
- Ms Linsey Hand
- Part of
- Ormiston Academies Trust
- Free school meals
- 29.2% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Halton
- School reference (URN)
- 147683
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 Halton 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, April 2024
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in April 2024.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Sandymoor Ormiston Academy, Wharford Lane, Runcorn, WA7 1QU
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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
- Windmill Hill Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.7 miles
- Gorsewood Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted: Good 1.4 miles
- The Raise Academy Special school · Ages 11–16 3.0 miles
- Thrive Education and Wellbeing Independent · Ages 4–16 3.1 miles
Other mainstream schools
Questions about Sandymoor Ormiston Academy
How many pupils at Sandymoor Ormiston Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 81 of the 631 pupils (12.8%) were getting SEN support and 26 (4.1%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Sandymoor Ormiston Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (39 pupils), dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (25 pupils) and autism (22 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Sandymoor Ormiston Academy?
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 Sandymoor Ormiston Academy?
Through Halton 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 Sandymoor Ormiston Academy?
You can ask for Sandymoor Ormiston Academy 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 Sandymoor Ormiston Academy 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 Windmill Hill Primary School, about 0.7 miles away.
Where is Sandymoor Ormiston Academy?
Sandymoor Ormiston Academy, Wharford Lane, Runcorn, WA7 1QU, in Halton.
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.