Introduction to special schools

As mainstream schools cater for an ever increasing range of special educational needs (SEN), proportionally few children with SEN attend special schools. 

The type of school to choose should be looked at on a case by case and needs basis. Many mainstream schools are catering for more complex special needs cases but undoubtedly some have reached the limits of what they can provide, without prejudicing the needs of all children.

So how do you decide what type of school or level of SEN provision is right for your child?

Special school, specialist provision or mainstream?

• Unit and Resourced Provision. The introduction of unit, resourced and specialist provision has blurred the traditional boundaries.  Generally units are attached to mainstream schools and resourced provision is integrated into the schools (but sometimes these are interchangeable).
• Dual registration. An increasing number of children are dual registered, spending time in both special and mainstream schools. 
• Inclusion. Even where dual registration is not possible most children who attend special schools will be included in a mainstream environment at some point; additionally some children with borderline needs may spend most of their time in a mainstream setting but receive specialist input either at, or from, a special school.

The Good Schools Guide and Special Educational Needs

For some children with complex needs choosing a special school, with specialist provision and therapeutic care, is recommended or needed, at least for some of the time. We have reviewed over 70 special schools with a range of provision including:

• Autism and ASD specialist schools.
• Dyslexia specialist and dyslexia friendly schools (including a number with CReSTeD registration).
• Schools for children with speech, language and communication di...