A special school is a school which caters for children and young people with complex special educational needs.
Different schools specialise in supporting different kinds of needs such as autism, severe learning difficulties, visual impairment, hearing impairment, speech, language and communication, and social, emotional and mental health needs. Special schools provide a broad and balanced curriculum which is appropriately modified to support the needs of any individual child or young person. The whole spectrum of needs is supported through the involvement of a range of multi-agency professionals.
Who Can Access a Special School?
When considering whether a child or young person is suitable for a placement, professionals will consider a range of criteria. Part of the criteria will be the child or young person’s cognitive ability, as well as individual pupil profiles of needs. In Dudley, all children and young people in a special school have an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP).
How to access a special school
- The local authority is the admissions authority for all special schools.
- A decision-making group within the local authority will discuss each child or young person being considered for admission and recommend the appropriateness of the placement.
- Where the local authority deems a special school to the appropriate or where a special school is parental preference, the SEND team will issue a consultation. Settings have up to 15 days to consider the consultation and respond to the Local Authority.