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Which school?

Some notes for parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities

Deciding which school you would prefer for your child is one of the biggest decisions you will have to make. Often it is a question you have in mind a long time before your child starts school. These notes may help you.

Thinking About Schools

The law says that children with special educational needs should be educated in mainstream school wherever possible. It is important to keep an open mind and consider several possibilities. There may not be an 'ideal' - there are advantages and disadvantages to most arrangements. For example, one school may have smaller classes but may not organise the teaching in the way that would suit your child.

Your Rights

Like all parents, you have a right to inform the Local Education Authority (LEA) which school you would like your child to attend. You need to decide what you think, but do talk to people who know you and your child before you make up your mind.

In many cases, your child will be able to go to the school you want. In a few cases, your child could be turned down. Below are some examples.

Your child will be able to go to your preferred school if, for example;

you live in the catchment area.
you live somewhere else but you make an application and are offered a place for your child.

Your child may not be able to go to your preferred school if, for example;

you do not live in the catchment area and the school is already full.
the school is a church one (e.g. Church of England or Roman Catholic) and your child does not meet the school's own admission criteria, e.g. that you and your child are C of E or Roman Catholic.

If your child has a proposed Statement of Special Educational Needs,

You will be asked which school you would like your child to attend. The Local Education Authority (LEA) will agree to this so long as

it is suitable for your child's needs.
your child's attendance would be compatible with providing efficient education for other children at the school.
it is efficient use of resources for the LEA.

(Your child could still be turned down for some of the reasons already mentioned above)

There is also a catchment area for special schools. If you choose a school in that area, your child will be provided with transport if needed. If you live outside that area, your child may be offered a place if there are spaces, but transport may not be provided.

The LEA has a leaflet for parents which gives details of its transport arrangements.

Types of schools

This depends on the child's needs, but in most cases will be a mainstream school. There your child will mix with children of varied abilities.

These are the possible options:-

Mainstream school with help from normal staffing arrangements.
Mainstream school with extra help or provision.

For example:-

an extra member of staff (a teaching assistant) who may be there for part of the time.
a specialised teacher who visits the school.
special equipment.

Focussed provision (Nottingham City LEA)

This gives specialist support to children with exceptional needs within mainstream schools. A pupil does not need a statement to access Focus Provisions. The current Focus.
Provision available is for children with Language and Communication needs and / or physical disabilities.
Enhanced Resources Provision (Nottingham County LEA). This gives specialists support to children with exceptional needs within mainstream schools. A pupil does not need a statement to access this provision, The current provision is for children with language and communication needs and/or learning impaired.

Special school

all the children in the school will have special needs, and they will learn and play together.

What do you think?

“I want him to grow up in a normal environment”.
“He goes to the local school and nobody knows he's got anything wrong with him”.
“She can keep up with the other children and is not 'lost' like she was in a large class in the ordinary school”.
“'To say she goes to ordinary school makes it easier for you when you're still trying to adjust to their disability”.
“We don't think it's right to segregate ... they've got to learn to cope and get on with ordinary people”.
“I want him to get the help he needs”.

Other leaflets you may find useful:

Checklist for Visiting Schools (particularly useful on entry to primary school).

From Primary to Secondary (for pupils with significant needs transferring to secondary school).

These are available from:
Parent Partnership Service
Suite 5 Clarendon Chambers
32 Clarendon Street
Nottingham NG1 5LN
Tel/Fax/Minicom 0115 948 2888 (this number is for City & County parents)

Information about travel arrangements for pupils with special educational needs is available from:
Nottingham City LEA, SEN Team, The Sandfield Centre, Sandfield Road , Lenton, Nottingham NG7 1QH

Nottinghamshire County LEA , Children and Family Services, Education Department, County Hall, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 7QP