Criftins CofE Primary School and Nursery is a mainstream primary school in Ellesmere, Shropshire, for children aged 3 to 11. In January 2026, 19 of its 96 pupils (19.8%) were getting SEN support and 3 (3.1%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 3–11
- 96 pupils
- Ofsted: Outstanding
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Shropshire.
19.8% get SEN support
19 of 96 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
3.1% have an EHC plan
3 of 96 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health9
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia9
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
- 3 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 96 (places for 103)
- Headteacher
- Nia Evans & Robert Jones
- Part of
- Marches Academy Trust
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 18.8% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Shropshire
- School reference (URN)
- 151598
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 Shropshire 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, January 2016; school remains Outstanding (November 2022)
Rated Outstanding at its last graded inspection, in January 2016. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementOutstanding
- Early yearsGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Since then: School remains Outstanding (ungraded inspection, November 2022).
Contact and getting there
Criftins, Ellesmere, SY12 9LT
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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
- Ellesmere Primary School Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 1.8 miles
- Lakelands Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted report card (2026) 2.2 miles
- OneSchool Global Oswestry Campus Independent · Ages 7–18 3.7 miles
- Derwen College Independent · Ages 16–25 4.0 miles
Other mainstream schools
- St Martins School (3-16 Learning Community) All-through · Ages 3–16 · SEN support 21.1%, EHC plans 2% 3.0 miles
- Gobowen Primary School Primary · Ages 3–11 · SEN support 7.6%, EHC plans 2.7% 4.1 miles
- Welshampton CofE Primary School Primary · Ages 5–11 · SEN support 11.3%, EHC plans 4.2% 4.3 miles
All mainstream schools in Shropshire SEND schools in Shropshire
Questions about Criftins CofE Primary School and Nursery
How many pupils at Criftins CofE Primary School and Nursery have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 19 of the 96 pupils (19.8%) were getting SEN support and 3 (3.1%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Criftins CofE Primary School and Nursery?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (9 pupils) and dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (9 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Criftins CofE Primary School and Nursery?
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 Criftins CofE Primary School and Nursery?
Through Shropshire 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 Criftins CofE Primary School and Nursery?
You can ask for Criftins CofE Primary School and Nursery 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 Criftins CofE Primary School and Nursery 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 Ellesmere Primary School, about 1.8 miles away.
Where is Criftins CofE Primary School and Nursery?
Criftins, Ellesmere, SY12 9LT, in Shropshire.
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.