Wolsingham School is a mainstream secondary school in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, for children and young people aged 11 to 16. In January 2026, 176 of its 774 pupils (22.7%) were getting SEN support and 32 (4.1%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–16
- 774 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in County Durham.
22.7% get SEN support
176 of 774 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
4.1% have an EHC plan
32 of 774 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Moderate learning difficulty85
- Speech, language and communication70
- Social, emotional and mental health40
- Multi-sensory impairment13
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
- 774 (places for 750)
- Headteacher
- Mr Nick Mitchinson (Acting Headteacher)
- Part of
- Advance Learning Partnership
- Free school meals
- 30.7% of pupils eligible
- Council
- County Durham
- School reference (URN)
- 148109
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, January 2015; school remains Good (May 2023)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in January 2015. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
- Sixth formGood
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, May 2023).
Contact and getting there
The Grammar School Building, West End, Bishop Auckland, DL13 3DJ
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
- Highcroft School Independent · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 8.9 miles
- Learning for Life Independent · Ages 16–25 9.0 miles
- Leadgate Primary School - Split Site Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 9.5 miles
- Bishop Barrington Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 9.8 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Wolsingham Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 15.3%, EHC plans 2.5% 0.7 miles
- Frosterley Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 28.1%, EHC plans 21.9% 2.9 miles
- Tow Law Millennium Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 40.3%, EHC plans 5.2% 3.3 miles
All mainstream schools in County Durham SEND schools in County Durham
Questions about Wolsingham School
How many pupils at Wolsingham School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 176 of the 774 pupils (22.7%) were getting SEN support and 32 (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 Wolsingham School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are moderate learning difficulties (85 pupils), speech, language and communication needs (70 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (40 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Wolsingham 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 Wolsingham 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 Wolsingham School?
You can ask for Wolsingham 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 Wolsingham 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 Leadgate Primary School - Split Site, about 9.5 miles away.
Where is Wolsingham School?
The Grammar School Building, West End, Bishop Auckland, DL13 3DJ, 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.