Brandon Primary Academy is a mainstream primary school in Durham, County Durham, for children aged 2 to 11. In January 2026, 85 of its 280 pupils (30.4%) were getting SEN support and 10 (3.6%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 2–11
- 280 pupils
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in County Durham.
30.4% get SEN support
85 of 280 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
3.6% have an EHC plan
10 of 280 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication50
- Moderate learning difficulty20
- Social, emotional and mental health12
- 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
- 2 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 280 (places for 496)
- Headteacher
- Mr Christopher Baines
- Part of
- Advance Learning Partnership
- Free school meals
- 54.9% of pupils eligible
- Council
- County Durham
- School reference (URN)
- 148858
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
Graded by area, December 2024
Inspected in December 2024. Inspections from September 2024 to November 2025 graded each area but gave no overall grade.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- Early yearsGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Carr Avenue, Brandon, Durham, DH7 8NL
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
- Durham Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted report card (2026) 2.2 miles
- The Grange Learning Centre Independent · Ages 7–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 3.0 miles
- Durham Trinity School & Sports College Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted: Good 3.2 miles
- Durham Gilesgate Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 2–11 · Ofsted: Good 3.9 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Browney Primary Academy Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 11.6%, EHC plans 3.3% 0.5 miles
- St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Langley Moor Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 13.6%, EHC plans 7.6% 0.7 miles
- Langley Moor Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 9.7%, EHC plans 3.6% 1.0 mile
All mainstream schools in County Durham SEND schools in County Durham
Questions about Brandon Primary Academy
How many pupils at Brandon Primary Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 85 of the 280 pupils (30.4%) were getting SEN support and 10 (3.6%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Brandon Primary Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (50 pupils), moderate learning difficulties (20 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (12 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Brandon 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 Brandon Primary Academy?
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 Brandon Primary Academy?
You can ask for Brandon 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 Brandon 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 Durham Academy, about 2.2 miles away.
Where is Brandon Primary Academy?
Carr Avenue, Brandon, Durham, DH7 8NL, 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.