Most children and young people with special educational needs can attend their local mainstream school with the right support.
When your child first goes to school, you can choose up to four mainstream schools that you would prefer your child to go to. This also happens when they move schools because of their age e.g. to secondary school. You are not guaranteed your first choice, so it is important to use all your four options and not miss the application deadline.
The Equality Act 2010 ensures that all schools should give appropriate thought to the provision that can be made to support a child/young person with special educational needs. There is a school admissions code that all schools and admissions authorities must follow.
When deciding on which school/s you would like your child to attend, you may wish to:
- Ask for a school prospectus or brochure or find a copy online.
- Look at the school’s website, especially their SEND Information Report (sometimes known as their local or school offer for SEND).
- Look up the school’s most recent OfSTED report on the internet.
- Think carefully about whether you want to take your child with you on the first visit (you could discuss this with the setting or another professional).
- Decide if you want to take someone along with you such as a friend or relative – they can help in discussing your impressions afterwards.
- Ask to have a guided tour of the setting. You will get a better feel for the setting if you do this when the children are there.
- Think about speaking to other parents, but remember different things are important to different parents. You know your child best, and what is likely to suit them.
More information about school admissions can be found in our School Admissions section.