Different Types of Schools and How do I Find One for my Child with SEND?

This article discusses the different types of schools available for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including maintained mainstream schools, independent mainstream schools, maintained mainstream schools with hubs/units, maintained special schools, and independent specialist schools. It also provides guidance on how to find schools in your area and where to access further information about a specific school, including sources such as the SENDCo, the school's SEND Information Report, and its Accessibility Plan.

Types of Schools

There are four main types of schools:

1. Maintained Mainstream Schools

 These are sometimes referred to simply as mainstream schools. They are government-funded and can meet the needs of most children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

2. Independent Mainstream Schools

 These are fee-paying schools, and some admit children with EHCPs. They are often considered when a child requires a mainstream education, but their needs cannot be met in a larger school with class sizes of around 30. Independent Specialist Schools often have smaller class sizes of up to 20 pupils.

3. Maintained Mainstream Schools with Hubs/Units

 These are specialist units that are part of a mainstream school. They are government-funded, and there is usually an expectation that the child can access (or work towards accessing) some learning in mainstream classes.

4. Maintained Special Schools

 These are government-funded special schools. They typically cater for a wide range of SEND needs in small class sizes—up to approximately 12 pupils—with high adult-to-student ratios and specialist staff. They usually offer a curriculum appropriate for children with learning disabilities.

5. Independent Specialist Schools

 These are fee-paying schools and often only admit children with EHCPs. They typically specialise in meeting one type of need and offer a full academic curriculum, similar to a mainstream school, but with small class sizes, high adult-to-student ratios, and specialist staff.

For more detailed information about schools, please refer to the IPSEA website.

Finding Schools in Your Area

If you are seeking a suitable placement for your child:

• Visit your County Council or Borough website and search for "The Local Offer". This will provide information on local authority-maintained schools.

• For specialist independent schools, refer to The Good Schools Guide.

• To search for schools more broadly, consult the Department for Education (DfE) website. All schools registered with the DfE are listed there. You can filter by school type (mainstream/special), age range, location, and distance.

  
  

Finding More Information About a School

The following sources can provide more detailed insights into a school's provision for SEND:

SENDCo

 Every school must appoint a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENDCo). According to Section 49(2) of the SEND Regulations 2014, the SENDCo must be a qualified teacher and must begin the recognised SENDCo qualification within three years of appointment. Note that not all SENDCos are fully qualified upon taking up the post.

SEND Information Report

 Every maintained school, academy, nursery, college, or further education establishment must publish a SEND Information Report. (See Schedule 1 of the SEND Regulations 2014.)

Accessibility Plan

 Schools must publish an Accessibility Plan under Schedule 10, Section 3(4) of the Equality Act 2010. This plan should be reviewed regularly.

Further guidance can be found in Chapter 6 of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0–25 Years (January 2015).

If You Are Not Happy with the School Named in the EHCP

If you are dissatisfied with the school named following a transition review, you may find the webinar "Help! I'm not happy with the school named in my EHCP. What can I do?" helpful. It outlines your options and provides guidance on how to lodge a Tribunal appeal. Further details are available here.

This webinar is part of our not-for-profit Events Department, which aims to provide affordable support for skill development. Empowering Families of Children with SEND Ltd helps families gain the knowledge and confidence to advocate for their children and young people on SEND and EHCP matters.

We also offer fully bespoke 1:1 Transition Review support with Anna and Sarah as part of our professional services. For further details, click here: Bespoke 1:1 support from Anna & Sarah.

We are, and always will be, Stronger Together. 

You can find testimonials to our bespoke services on our website and Facebook business page - here