St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, Child Okeford is a mainstream primary school in Blandford Forum, Dorset, for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 25 of its 125 pupils (20%) were getting SEN support and 6 (4.8%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–11
- 125 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Dorset.
20% get SEN support
25 of 125 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
4.8% have an EHC plan
6 of 125 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 communication13
- Social, emotional and mental health9
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
- 125 (places for 175)
- Headteacher
- Ms Jill Watson
- Part of
- Sherborne Area Schools' Trust
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 14.4% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Dorset
- School reference (URN)
- 149656
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 Dorset 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
Requires significant improvement. Report card, March 2026: Needs attention in 4 of 7 areas
Ofsted has placed this school in requires significant improvement.
Inspected in March 2026 under Ofsted’s new report cards, which grade each area separately, from Exceptional to Urgent improvement, instead of one overall grade.
- InclusionNeeds attention
- Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
- AchievementNeeds attention
- Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
- Early yearsUrgent improvement
- Leadership and governanceNeeds attention
- SafeguardingMet
Contact and getting there
Station Road, Child Okeford, Blandford Forum, DT11 8EL
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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
- The Forum School Independent · Ages 7–19 · Ofsted: Requires improvement 1.0 mile
- Yewstock School Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 3.2 miles
- Gillingham Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–11 · Ofsted report card (2026) 8.9 miles
- St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown Mainstream + base · Ages 9–13 · Ofsted: Good 12 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Shillingstone Church of England Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 6.8%, EHC plans 2.9% 1.2 miles
- Durweston Church of England Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 11.1%, EHC plans 3.5% 2.8 miles
- William Barnes Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 17.9%, EHC plans 4.9% 3.1 miles
Questions about St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, Child Okeford
How many pupils at St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, Child Okeford have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 25 of the 125 pupils (20%) were getting SEN support and 6 (4.8%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, Child Okeford?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (13 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (9 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, Child Okeford?
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 St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, Child Okeford?
Through Dorset 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 St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, Child Okeford?
You can ask for St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, Child Okeford 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 St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, Child Okeford 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 Gillingham Primary School, about 8.9 miles away.
Where is St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, Child Okeford?
Station Road, Child Okeford, Blandford Forum, DT11 8EL, in Dorset.
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.