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Sunday, 30 October 2011

Parents

Special educational needs: choosing a school

If your child has a statement of special educational needs (SEN), they will usually be educated in mainstream (ordinary) schools or early education settings. However, you can also ask for them to go to a special school.

Choosing your child's school

If your child has a statement of SEN you have a right to say which state school you want them to go to, either mainstream or special. This can be the school they already go to.

Your local authority must agree to send your child to the school you want as long as:

  • the school you choose is suitable for your child's age, ability, skills and SEN
  • your child meets any academic selection criteria the school has (although most state schools do not select pupils by academic ability)
  • your child's presence will not have a negative impact on the education of other children already at the school
  • placing your child in the school will be an efficient use of the local authority's resources

Special schools usually take children with particular types of special needs. Many ordinary schools also have special provision for children with particular needs. For example, they may have good access for physically disabled pupils or special teaching for pupils with hearing or sight difficulties or dyslexia.

You can ask to see a school's policy on SEN to make sure you know what they can offer. You can also arrange to visit a number of schools if you want to.

You may want your child to go to a school that is not run by your local authority, for example:

  • a non-maintained special school (usually run by charities)
  • an independent school that can meet your child's needs
  • a school maintained (run) by another local authority

However, if there's a suitable state school, the local authority has no legal duty to send your child to a non-maintained or independent school.

Help with making your choice

When choosing a school, it is important that you ask for and get all the information, help and advice you need, and that you talk over any worries you may have. Your local authority, local parent partnership service, local voluntary organisations (charities) and parents' groups will be able to give you support in making your choice.

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