West Down School is a mainstream primary school in Ilfracombe, Devon, for children aged 2 to 11. In January 2026, 20 of its 95 pupils (21.1%) were getting SEN support and 4 (4.2%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 2–11
- 95 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Devon.
21.1% get SEN support
20 of 95 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
4.2% have an EHC plan
4 of 95 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 health8
- Speech, language and communication8
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
- 95 (places for 105)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Faye Poynter
- Part of
- The Harbour Schools Partnership
- Free school meals
- 14.7% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Devon
- School reference (URN)
- 150916
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 Devon 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, October 2019
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in October 2019.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- Early yearsGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
West Down, Ilfracombe, EX34 8NF
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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
- Ilfracombe Church of England Junior School Mainstream + base · Ages 7–11 3.2 miles
- Pilton Community College Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Good 5.5 miles
- Pathfield School Special school · Ages 3–19 · Ofsted: Good 5.7 miles
- On Track Education Barnstaple Independent · Ages 7–18 · Ofsted: Good 6.7 miles
Other mainstream schools
Questions about West Down School
How many pupils at West Down School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 20 of the 95 pupils (21.1%) were getting SEN support and 4 (4.2%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at West Down School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (8 pupils) and speech, language and communication needs (8 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at West Down 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 West Down School?
Through Devon 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 West Down School?
You can ask for West Down 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 West Down 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 Ilfracombe Church of England Junior School, about 3.2 miles away.
Where is West Down School?
West Down, Ilfracombe, EX34 8NF, in Devon.
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.