Finding the right school place for your child with SEN

Choosing the right school for your child is a big decision, particularly if they have Special Educational Needs (SEN). There are different types of schools and educational settings to consider.

Mainstream schools often cater for children with special educational needs by providing additional support, special provisions or resource bases.

Special schools are specifically designed and organised around the individual needs of the children and young people they cater for. They can be split into three types: authority or community-maintained special schools, academy special schools and independent schools.

We believe that with a great education, every neurodivergent pupil can thrive. Our schools provide pupils with a safe, caring and nurturing community. Relationships are at the heart of our approach and are based on a sensitive understanding of a young person’s experiences and the areas in which they require more support.

Behaviour is understood as a form of communication and all staff work together to enable the healthy physical, social, and emotional development of each pupil.

Some schools specialise in a specific diagnosis and associated conditions. It is important to understand a school’s offer and ensure it aligns with your child’s Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Each of our schools is different, some have extensive grounds with roaming fields, and others are located closer to towns with the option to take part in community settings. Other differences include the curriculum that is followed. Independent schools have more flexibility to build learning around the cohort of pupils, such as outdoor learning via a forest school. Common across all our schools is the clinical support on offer.

Our wider clinical team includes:

• Speech and Language Therapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Psychotherapists
• Assistant Psychologists
• Therapy Assistants
• Access to other types of therapy as required.

The team works with pupils, as well as their parents or carers, to agree on a support plan which will become part of their school life, enabling them to build on their strengths and increase their resilience.

For more information and to visit each school website take a look at our map where you can filter via location and need.