Anthony Gell School is a mainstream secondary school in Matlock, Derbyshire, for children and young people aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 131 of its 776 pupils (16.9%) were getting SEN support and 63 (8.1%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 776 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Derbyshire.
16.9% get SEN support
131 of 776 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
8.1% have an EHC plan
63 of 776 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism38
- Social, emotional and mental health38
- Moderate learning difficulty37
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia28
- Speech, language and communication20
- Physical disability10
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 18
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 776 (places for 825)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Helen Smith
- Part of
- Embark Multi Academy Trust
- Free school meals
- 26.4% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Derbyshire
- School reference (URN)
- 149644
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 Derbyshire 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, February 2015
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in February 2015. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
- Sixth formGood
Contact and getting there
Wirksworth, Matlock, DE4 4DX
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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
- Alderwasley Hall School Independent · Ages 5–20 · Ofsted: Outstanding 2.4 miles
- Alfreton Park Community Special School Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted report card (2026) 7.3 miles
- Hilltop Primary Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Requires improvement 8.6 miles
- Allestree Woodlands School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 9.1 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Wirksworth Junior School Primary · Ages 7–11 · SEN support 15.8%, EHC plans 5.3% 0.3 miles
- Wirksworth CofE Infant School Primary · Ages 5–7 · SEN support 6.4%, EHC plans 4.3% 0.3 miles
- Middleton Community Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 24.7%, EHC plans 3.2% 1.5 miles
All mainstream schools in Derbyshire SEND schools in Derbyshire
Questions about Anthony Gell School
How many pupils at Anthony Gell School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 131 of the 776 pupils (16.9%) were getting SEN support and 63 (8.1%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Anthony Gell School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (38 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (38 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (37 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Anthony Gell 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 Anthony Gell School?
Through Derbyshire 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 Anthony Gell School?
You can ask for Anthony Gell 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 Anthony Gell 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 Hilltop Primary Academy, about 8.6 miles away.
Where is Anthony Gell School?
Wirksworth, Matlock, DE4 4DX, in Derbyshire.
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.