Swanshurst School is a mainstream secondary school in Birmingham for girls aged 11 to 19. In January 2026, 328 of its 1,928 pupils (17%) were getting SEN support and 15 (0.8%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–19
- 1,928 pupils
- Girls only
- Ofsted: Outstanding
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Birmingham.
17% get SEN support
328 of 1,928 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
0.8% have an EHC plan
15 of 1,928 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication112
- Social, emotional and mental health81
- Moderate learning difficulty59
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia44
- Autism16
- Physical disability11
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 19
- Boys and girls
- Girls only
- Pupils
- 1,928 (places for 1,943)
- Headteacher
- Mr Mike Dunn
- Part of
- West Midlands Academy Trust
- Free school meals
- 45.2% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Birmingham
- School reference (URN)
- 151403
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 Birmingham 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, November 2017; school remains Outstanding (May 2024)
Rated Outstanding at its last graded inspection, in November 2017. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementOutstanding
- Sixth formGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: School remains Outstanding (ungraded inspection, May 2024).
Contact and getting there
Brook Lane, Billesley, Birmingham, B13 0TW
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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
- Billesley Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.4 miles
- The Dame Ellen Pinsent School Special school · Ages 5–11 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.4 miles
- Hall Green School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 1.1 miles
- Fox Hollies School Special school · Ages 11–19 · Ofsted report card (2026) 1.2 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Kings Heath Secondary School Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 16.2%, EHC plans 2.3% 0.5 miles
- Wheelers Lane Technology College Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 23.2%, EHC plans 3.1% 0.6 miles
- Wheelers Lane Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 14.8%, EHC plans 2.3% 0.6 miles
All mainstream schools in Birmingham SEND schools in Birmingham
Questions about Swanshurst School
How many pupils at Swanshurst School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 328 of the 1,928 pupils (17%) were getting SEN support and 15 (0.8%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Swanshurst School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (112 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (81 pupils) and moderate learning difficulties (59 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Swanshurst 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 Swanshurst School?
Through Birmingham 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 Swanshurst School?
You can ask for Swanshurst 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 Swanshurst 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 Billesley Primary School, about 0.4 miles away.
Where is Swanshurst School?
Brook Lane, Billesley, Birmingham, B13 0TW, in Birmingham.
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.