Choosing a school for your child with SEN/EHC plan

Most children with SEN go to the local mainstream school and are taught with children of their own age. 

Your child will be on the school SEN Register as requiring SEN Support. Their needs will be met within the school without the need for a EHC plan.

They might receive:

• extra help from their class teacher
• help from the class teacher and the school’s Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo)
• specialist support. The school may seek advice from the council or other external sources such as speech and language therapy or occupational therapy. This means that professionals will visit your child in school and provide advice to the school on how best to support your child.

Find a list of:

• nursery schools
• mainstream primary schools
• mainstream secondary schools
• all through schools - primary and secondary phase.

Check how to apply for a mainstream school place on Slough Borough Council website.

If your child has more significant and/or complex special educational needs the council may undertake an EHC needs assessment to identify your child’s needs and if appropriate issue an EHC plan.

If your child has an EHC plan, the council:

• is responsible for ensuring that their education needs, as outlined in the plan are met
• will consider the nearest school to your home that is appropriate for your child’s needs.

Your child or young person with an EHC plan may be able to attend a specialist resource base or provision (SRP) within the mainstream school that specialises in supporting pupils with particular needs.

A specialist resource provision (SRP) provides support for children and young people, who without specialist input, are unlikely to make progress in their learning and will struggle to take part in mainstream school life.

In time, it is expected they will be able to attend most of their mainstream lessons and take part with others.

To be considered for SRP support the child or young person must have a Education Health Care Plan (EHC plan).

During the EHC needs assessment, evidence must be provided that without a high level of ongoing, flexible specialist support, they will find it difficult or not be able to participate in activities or learning in a mainstream school.

We have 16 local authority and academy nursery, primary and secondary mainstream schools with additional specialist resource provision.

Every school with an SRP is led by a SEN lead teacher and has a high staff to pupil ratio.

The EHC process puts children, young people and parents at the heart of decision making and you can request the school of your choice.

It is important that you check schools and know which is your preferred school as you will be consulted.

Find a list of schools with specialist resource provisions:

• nursery schools
• mainstream primary schools
• mainstream secondary schools.

Contact the schools directly for details on needs they support.

If your child has:

• needs that cannot be met within a mainstream school
• an EHC plan

they may require more specialist provision.

A special school provides education and support to children and young people:

• with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHC) plan
• who have complex special educational needs
• require their SEN provision to be delivered in a specialist setting.

If you have received a draft EHC plan, or are in the process of amending your EHC plan, you can request to place your child or young person into a special school.

The special school that a child or young person attends depends upon a range of factors including:

• their age
• thei special educational needs
• the provision (support) described in their EHC plan
• the school's location.

We have 3 special schools in Slough.

• Arbour Vale School - primary and secondary school age pupils with communication and interaction, cognition and learning, physical and/or sensory difficulties. 
• Littledown School - primary special school for pupils who have an EHC plan with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH).
• Haybrook College - secondary special school for pupils who have an EHCplan with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH).

GOV.UK provides a list of independent schools for pupils with special educational needs, including those approved under section 41 of the Children and Families Act.

• Find a list of independent schools on GOV.UK.

• Find a list of out of borough schools. 

Check each school's website for further details.

All schools must publish their own local offer (also known as the SEN Information Report). This should be available on the school’s website.

The report must provide information about:

• how the school will identify a child or young person with SEND
• what kinds of SEN support the school provides
• the school’s approach to teaching children and young people with SEN
• how they consult with parents and involve them in their child’s education.

• Read the school prospectus and write a list of questions to ask.
• Decide when to visit and if you are taking your child. (It is best to visit during school hours).
• Will someone else accompany you?
• Is the school easy to get to? (Think about transport arrangements).
• Would you like to talk to the SENCo?
• Do you want a guided tour?
• Will you be able to meet staff who would be involved with your child?
• Will you be able to talk to other parents who have children at the school?

During the school visit you might want to ask the following questions.

• What is the general structure & timetable for the school day?
• How many children will be in your child’s class?
• How do the school support children with Special Educational Needs?
• How do the school feel about providing 1:1 support?
• Do the school know anything about your child’s disability?
• Has the school ever taught any other children with the same disability?
• Are all areas of the school accessible to your child? (Are adaptations required)
• How will your child be supported outside lesson time?
• How do the school deal with difficult behaviour?
• How is bullying dealt with at the school?
• How does the school help children mix and make friends?
• What extra activities does the school provide at lunchtime and after school?
• What will you have to provide for your child? (uniform/ stationery/ money for trips, events, extra activities etc)
• How does the school communicate with parents?
• When can parents talk to their child’s teacher?
• What arrangements are there for parents to get involved with the school?
• What opportunities are there to meet other parents? (P.T.A., organised events, etc.)

If it is a special school or unit you might also ask the following.

• What range of disability does the school cater for?
• What therapies are available?
• What subjects will your child be able to study?
• Would they get some qualifications?
• Will they get help with personal and life skills?
• What inclusion experiences does the school offer?
• Is there an appropriate group of children in the school for your child to learn with and find friends?

• Discuss your thoughts and feelings about the school with someone else.
• Did you feel welcomed at the school?
• Did the children seem happy, friendly and helpful?
• Do you think your child would be happy at the school?
• Did the school answer all your questions?
• Have you got any other questions that you would like to ask the school?