choosing a new school
Looking at schools is personal and must be focused on your child's needs.
Arranging Visits
You can ask to visit the school, ideally during the school day, to observe lessons and break time.
You can ask to meet the head, the SENCO, and the class teacher.
You can also talk to other parents of children with additional needs who attend the school. (special schools may not agree until place has been offered)
Things to think about
How do they track and monitor the SEN support in school?
What resources are available for children / young people with special educational needs?
How are EHCP's monitored and implemented around the needs of the children / young person?
Does the school make positive reasonable adjustment around their policies?
What type of support and intervention is available, including professional support, therapies, counseling, and mentoring?
Are there physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists on-site at the school?
What specialist support your child could receive and from whom?
What training and experience do the staff have, and what is the staff to pupil ratio?
What specific accreditations does the school have and what training and experience do the staff have?
Does the school have considerations for physical or sensory needs, such as soft spaces, sensitive lighting, and noise reduction, neutral / safe spaces?
What a typical day looks like, including break and lunch periods, and how unstructured times are managed. ask for a timetable.
Would your child receive individual support, or would it be group based?
What size groups and classes would your child join?
What subjects are offered, what qualifications are available, and how have past pupils achieved?
Are there vocational opportunities and how does the school prepare a child for adult life, independence, employment, life skills?
What extra-curricular activities are available?
How are parents involved in their child's education, and what support does the school offer to parents?
How does the school communicate with parents?
What support does the school receive from any outside agencies or services?
Who is the SEN governor?
School Policies
- The school’s Special Educational Needs Policy.
- Behaviour
- Anti-Bullying
- Attendance
- Inclusion
- The OFSTED Inspectors’ report on the school, which is also available on the OFSTED website.
CLICK HERE FOR CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND MAINSTREAM SCHOOLS WITH ADDITIONAL RESOURCE PROVISIONS (ARPS)
CLICK HERE FOR GOV SITE - GET INFORMATION ABOUT SCHOOLS
Local Authority - enter the LAs you would like to see schools for.
Search
On the left-hand side there is a menu to select the type of school.
There is a drop-down arrow - e.g. - Independent schools - tick the schools you would like to view - e.g. - Special Schools - Other independent special school.
You will then see a list of independent schools
Click on the school and scroll down to 'Section 41 approved' - it will either say approved or Not approed.