What are special educational needs?
This section explains what special educational needs are, and the services are offered.
A pupil is defined as having special educational needs (SEN) if he or she has a learning difficulty which requires special educational provision to be made for him or her.
Special educational needs may mean that a child has difficulties with:
- reading, writing, number work or understanding information
- expressing themselves or understanding what others are saying
- making friends or relating to adults
- understanding and following rules and routines
- organising themselves
- a medical condition which impedes learning
- some kind of sensory or physical need which may affect them in school
All pupils with SEN must have those needs addressed, via a broad and balanced education. In most cases, it is the pupil’s mainstream school that will make this provision. Early identification, assessment and provision for any child who may have special educational needs is crucial.
Many children will have special educational needs at some time during their education. For most children this will be a short-term need that can be met through the expertise and resources of the school or with advice and support from outside professionals.
A very few children and young people, with severe or complex special educational needs, may need more help in school than can be provided from the school’s own resources. In these cases, it may be appropriate to carry out statutory assessment to decide whether a Statement of Special Educational Needs is required.
School Responsibilities
Headteachers ensure that pupils with SEN engage in all the regular activities of the school, so far as is reasonably practicable and is compatible with:
- The pupil receiving the special educational provision which his/her learning difficulty calls for
- The provision of efficient education for the pupils with whom he or she will be educated
- The efficient use of resources
In meeting these responsibilities, the governing body with the headteacher ‘have regard’ to the Code of Practice on identifying and assessing SEN. They determine the school’s SEN policy, publish it in the school prospectus and inform parents about its success in the annual report.
In addition, all schools have a designated teacher, the SENCO, who is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the school’s SEN policy. He or she will co-ordinate provision for pupils with SEN, maintain the SEN register and liaise with parents, staff and external agencies.
Maintained schools publish information about their SEN policy in the governing body's annual report.
Page last updated: 16/03/2012
