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SENDIASS: Choosing a School (A Checklist for Parents and Carers of Children With Special Educational Needs) - WNC

SENDIASS: Choosing a School (A Checklist for Parents and Carers of Children With Special Educational Needs) - WNC logo

Description

Choosing a school for your child can be a difficult process for parents, especially if your child has special educational needs. When visiting a potential school, you might want to consider some of the following questions.

School Organisation:

  • How is the school organised? Into departments? By age? By ability By subject groups?
  • How might the school's organisation change as my child gets older?
  • How often will my child change class or move around the school?
  • How many children will be in my child's class?
  • When and how often are children taught outside the classroom?
  • How does the school arrange extra support for children who need it?
  • Is the extra support usually provided in the classroom, individually, or in small groups?
  • What health or medical facilities does the school have?
  • If your child has difficulty walking: Will all areas of the school be accessible to my child, or will adaptations be necessary?

Staff Knowledge and Experience:

  • Does the school have any experience helping children with similar difficulties to my child?
  • How many other children in the school have special educational needs? What kinds of needs do they have?
  • How many staff are there in school? Teaching and Non-teaching special needs support staff?
  • What training have staff had about special educational needs?
  • How will the school ensure all staff know about my child's needs?

Pastoral Care and Extra Curricular Activities:

  • How will the other children be helped to understand my child's special needs?
  • How will my child be helped to make friends?
  • How does the school help children to learn how to make the school a happy place? Does the behaviour system reward effort as well as success?
  • What is the school's experience of bullying? How will the school prevent my child from being bullied?
  • How will the school ensure my child can take part in all areas of the curriculum?
  • How does the school ensure all children have an equal opportunity to take part in school trips?
  • How will my child be encouraged to take part in out-of-school activities such as clubs and sports events?

Assessment and Progress:

  • How is children's progress monitored and recorded?
  • How regularly will my child's progress be reviewed? Who is involved in this?
  • What happens if school staff feel my child is not making progress?
  • What will happen if I feel my child is not making progress or if I have any concerns?
  • What special arrangements exist for internal exams, tests, and SATs?
  • What public exams can children take, and what is the success rate?

Communication and Support for Parents:

  • How will I be involved in the individual planning for my child's special educational needs?
  • How often are written reports sent home?
  • How will I be updated about what is happening in school?
  • How are parents involved in school life?
  • Does the school produce newsletters for parents?
  • What sort of support and guidance does the school offer parents?
  • Is there a parents' group I can join?
  • What arrangements are usually made for transport to and from school?
  • How will staff get to know my child before they start at the school?
  • How will my child get to know the school, especially in the first few days after starting?

 

Locality
  • Brackley Area
  • Daventry Area
  • Northampton Area
  • Towcester Area
  • West Northamptonshire
  • Northamptonshire
Additional languages
Translation and/or Interpreting Available on Request
Age range
Suitable for ages from 5 years to 18 years
Referral route
No Referral Needed
For people with
Special Educational Needs or a Disability (SEND)
Eligibility criteria
  • Age Range - School
  • Special Educational Needs or a Disability (SEND)
Provider category
Specialist Services - For those who require longer-term support

Address

c/o SENDIASS, West Northamptonshire Council, One Angel Square, Angel Street
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN1 1ED
United Kingdom

Disclaimer

Publication on the Local Offer does not endorse a provider, so please take reasonable steps to ensure that any service found on the Local Offer is suitable for your family member. For more information, please read our disclaimer.

Last updated 29 May 2024