Castleward Spencer Academy is a mainstream primary school in Derby for children aged 3 to 11. In January 2026, 44 of its 179 pupils (24.6%) were getting SEN support and 10 (5.6%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 3–11
- 179 pupils
- Ofsted: Outstanding
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Derby.
24.6% get SEN support
44 of 179 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
5.6% have an EHC plan
10 of 179 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication34
- Moderate learning difficulty11
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
- Free school
- Ages
- 3 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 179 (places for 236)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Lindsay Trail
- Part of
- The Spencer Academies Trust
- Free school meals
- 17.5% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Derby
- School reference (URN)
- 148585
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 Derby 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 Outstanding, July 2024
Rated Outstanding at its last graded inspection, in July 2024.
- Quality of educationOutstanding
- Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
- Personal developmentOutstanding
- Leadership and managementOutstanding
- Early yearsOutstanding
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Canal Street, Derby, DE1 2RJ
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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
- Central Community Nursery School Mainstream + base · Ages 0–5 · Ofsted report card (2026) 1.1 miles
- Aurora Ryefields School Independent · Ages 5–19 1.1 miles
- Jasmine Hall School Independent · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 1.3 miles
- The Bemrose School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–19 · Ofsted: Good 1.4 miles
Other mainstream schools
- St James' Church of England Aided Infant School Primary · Ages 2–7 · SEN support 10.1%, EHC plans 10.9% 0.3 miles
- UTC Derby Pride Park Secondary · Ages 13–19 · SEN support 10.1%, EHC plans 2.4% 0.4 miles
- Rosehill Infant and Nursery School Primary · Ages 3–7 · SEN support 18.4%, EHC plans 2.6% 0.4 miles
Questions about Castleward Spencer Academy
How many pupils at Castleward Spencer Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 44 of the 179 pupils (24.6%) were getting SEN support and 10 (5.6%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Castleward Spencer Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (34 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (11 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Castleward Spencer 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 Castleward Spencer Academy?
Through Derby 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 Castleward Spencer Academy?
You can ask for Castleward Spencer 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 Castleward Spencer 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 Central Community Nursery School, about 1.1 miles away.
Where is Castleward Spencer Academy?
Canal Street, Derby, DE1 2RJ, in Derby.
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.