Finchingfield St John the Baptist CofE Primary Academy is a mainstream primary school in Braintree, Essex, for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 19 of its 71 pupils (26.8%) were getting SEN support and 2 (2.8%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–11
- 71 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Essex.
26.8% get SEN support
19 of 71 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
2.8% have an EHC plan
2 of 71 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism5
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
- 71 (places for 84)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Samina Metson
- Part of
- Canonium Learning Trust
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 15.3% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Essex
- School reference (URN)
- 147817
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 Essex 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 2013; standards maintained (November 2024)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in April 2013. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
Since then: Standards maintained (ungraded inspection, November 2024).
Contact and getting there
Vicarage Road, Finchingfield, Braintree, CM7 4LD
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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
- Teaseldown School Independent · Ages 11–19 · Ofsted: Good 5.8 miles
- The Yellow House School Independent · Ages 13–17 · Ofsted report card (2026) 6.0 miles
- Clements Primary Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted report card (2026) 7.7 miles
- Burton End Primary Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Good 8.0 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Great Bardfield Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 7.7%, EHC plans 1.7% 1.5 miles
- Wethersfield CofE VC Primary School Primary · Ages 5–11 · SEN support 38.6%, EHC plans 0% 1.7 miles
- Great Sampford Community Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 16.5%, EHC plans 7.6% 3.2 miles
Questions about Finchingfield St John the Baptist CofE Primary Academy
How many pupils at Finchingfield St John the Baptist CofE Primary Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 19 of the 71 pupils (26.8%) were getting SEN support and 2 (2.8%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Finchingfield St John the Baptist CofE Primary Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (5 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Finchingfield St John the Baptist CofE Primary 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 Finchingfield St John the Baptist CofE Primary Academy?
Through Essex 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 Finchingfield St John the Baptist CofE Primary Academy?
You can ask for Finchingfield St John the Baptist CofE Primary 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 Finchingfield St John the Baptist CofE Primary 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 Clements Primary Academy, about 7.7 miles away.
Where is Finchingfield St John the Baptist CofE Primary Academy?
Vicarage Road, Finchingfield, Braintree, CM7 4LD, in Essex.
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.