Special Schools

Children with special educational needs (SEN) have learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn than most children of the same age. These children may need additional or different help from that given to other children because of:

• speech or language difficulties
• thinking or understanding difficulties
• physical difficulties
• emotional or behavioural difficulties
• difficulties in how they relate to and behave with other people

Special schools are provided by local authorities for certain children with special educational needs; however, the vast majority may be educated in mainstream schools. For example, many mainstream schools have good access for physically-disabled pupils or special teaching for pupils with hearing or sight difficulties.

If your child has special educational needs, you have a right to say which state school you want your child to go to - either mainstream or special. The local authority must agree with your preference as long as:

• the school you choose is suitable for your child's age, ability, skills and SEN;
• your child's presence will not damage the education of other children already at the school; and
• placing your child in the school will be an efficient use of the local authority's resources.