Rainford CofE Primary School is a mainstream primary school in St Helens, St. Helens, for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 22 of its 230 pupils (9.6%) were getting SEN support and 8 (3.5%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–11
- 230 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in St. Helens.
9.6% get SEN support
22 of 230 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
3.5% have an EHC plan
8 of 230 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 health14
- Speech, language and communication6
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
- 230 (places for 315)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Emma Shawcross
- Part of
- Liverpool Diocesan Schools Trust
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 10% of pupils eligible
- Council
- St. Helens
- School reference (URN)
- 148365
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 St. Helens 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, May 2012; school remains Good (September 2023)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in May 2012. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, September 2023).
Contact and getting there
Cross Pit Lane, Rainford, St Helens, WA11 8AJ
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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
- A.R.T.S. Education Independent · Ages 11–17 · Ofsted: Good 0.5 miles
- Moss View School Independent · Ages 5–11 2.5 miles
- St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 2.9 miles
- Delph Side Community Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 3.1 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Rainford Brook Lodge Community Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 7.4%, EHC plans 1.4% 0.3 miles
- Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 20.5%, EHC plans 10.2% 0.4 miles
- Rainford High School Secondary · Ages 11–18 · SEN support 18.6%, EHC plans 10.3% 0.4 miles
All mainstream schools in St. Helens SEND schools in St. Helens
Questions about Rainford CofE Primary School
How many pupils at Rainford CofE Primary School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 22 of the 230 pupils (9.6%) were getting SEN support and 8 (3.5%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Rainford CofE Primary School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (14 pupils) and speech, language and communication needs (6 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Rainford CofE Primary 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 Rainford CofE Primary School?
Through St. Helens 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 Rainford CofE Primary School?
You can ask for Rainford CofE Primary 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 Rainford CofE Primary 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 St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School, about 2.9 miles away.
Where is Rainford CofE Primary School?
Cross Pit Lane, Rainford, St Helens, WA11 8AJ, in St. Helens.
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.