Seaham High School is a mainstream secondary school in Seaham, County Durham, for children and young people aged 11 to 16. In January 2026, 203 of its 1,095 pupils (18.5%) were getting SEN support and 41 (3.7%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–16
- 1,095 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in County Durham.
18.5% get SEN support
203 of 1,095 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
3.7% have an EHC plan
41 of 1,095 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism86
- Moderate learning difficulty64
- Social, emotional and mental health52
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia21
- Speech, language and communication12
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 16
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,095 (places for 1,200)
- Headteacher
- Mr Geoffrey Lumsdon
- Part of
- Eden Learning Trust
- Free school meals
- 42% of pupils eligible
- Council
- County Durham
- School reference (URN)
- 147711
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 County Durham 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, July 2023
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in July 2023.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Station Road, Seaham, SR7 0BH
Loading the map…
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
- Seaview Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 0.5 miles
- Mill Hill Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 5–11 · Ofsted: Good 2.3 miles
- Portland Academy Special school · Ages 11–19 · Ofsted: Good 2.6 miles
- Sunningdale School Special school · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Outstanding 3.2 miles
Other mainstream schools
- St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School, Seaham Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 14.6%, EHC plans 3.4% 0.2 miles
- New Seaham Academy Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 6.9%, EHC plans 0% 0.3 miles
- Westlea Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 28.7%, EHC plans 4% 0.4 miles
All mainstream schools in County Durham SEND schools in County Durham
Questions about Seaham High School
How many pupils at Seaham High School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 203 of the 1,095 pupils (18.5%) were getting SEN support and 41 (3.7%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Seaham High School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (86 pupils), moderate learning difficulties (64 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (52 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Seaham High 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 Seaham High School?
Through County Durham 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 Seaham High School?
You can ask for Seaham High 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 Seaham High 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 Seaview Primary School, about 0.5 miles away.
Where is Seaham High School?
Station Road, Seaham, SR7 0BH, in County Durham.
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.