This Article discusses the different types of schools available for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including maintained mainstream schools, independent mainstream schools, maintained mainstream schools with hubs/units, maintained special schools, and independent specialist schools. It also provides information on how to find schools in your area and where to get more information about a school, including sources such as the SENDCo and the school's SEND Information Report and Accessibility Plan.
There are four main types of schools:
Maintained mainstream schools. These are sometimes referred to as mainstream schools. They are government-funded and can meet the needs of most children with EHCPs.
Independent mainstream schools. These are fee-paying schools, and some admit children with EHCPs. They are often considered when a child needs a mainstream education, but their needs cannot be met in a large school with class sizes of 30. Independent Specialist schools have smaller class sizes of up to 20.
Maintained mainstream schools with hubs/units. These are specialist units that are part of mainstream schools. They are government-funded, and there is usually an expectation that the child is able to access (or work toward accessing) some learning in mainstream classes.
Maintained special schools. These are government-funded special schools. They often cater for a wide range of SEND in small class sizes of up to about 12, with high adult staff ratios and specialist staff. They usually offer a curriculum appropriate for children with a learning disability.
Independent specialist schools. These are fee-paying schools and often only admit children with EHCPs. They usually specialise in meeting one type of need. They typically offer a full academic curriculum, similar to a mainstream school, but with small class sizes, high adult ratios and specialist staff.
For more details about schools, see the IPSEA information.
Where can I Find out Which Schools are in my Area?
If you are trying to find a suitable placement for your child, go to your County Council or Borough website and type in The Local Offer. This will provide information on LA-maintained schools.
For Specialist Independent Schools, go online to The Good Schools Guide.
To find schools, look on the DfE website. All schools registered with the DfE appear on this site. You can filter by school type (mainstream/Special, etc), age range, location and distance.
Where Can I Find More Information About a School?
The following are sources of information about a school. Some will be publicly available on the school website.
SENDCo: Every school must appoint a teacher to act as a special educational needs coordinator, known as a SENDCo. Section 49 (2) SEND Regulations 2014. Section 50(3) A SENDCo must be a qualified teacher and must have started the recognised SENDCo qualification within three years of taking up the post – so not all are qualified when they begin the role.
SEND Information Report: Every Maintained School, Academy, Nursery, College, or Further Education establishment must publish a SEND Report. See Schedule 1 of the SEND Regulations 2014
The school must also publish an Accessibility Plan under Schedule 10, section 3(4) of the Equality Act 2010. This plan should be reviewed regularly.
See Chapter 6 of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice 0-25 years January 2015.
If you are not happy with the school named following the Transition Review, the Webinar'Help! I'm not happy with the school named in my EHCP.' What can I do? will talk you through your options and support you to lodge a Tribunal appeal. Further details are here
This webinar is part of our not-for-profit Events Department, which aims to provide affordable support for upskilling. We Empower Families to have knowledge and thereafter the confidence with SEND and EHCP issues to advocate for their own children and young people.
Empowering Families of Children with SEND Ltd also provide fully bespoke 1:1 Transition Review support with Anna & Sarah as part of their professional service, for details click here: Bespoke 1:1 support from Anna & Sarah
留言