Help Types of schools in Leeds
There are several different types of schools/educational settings in Leeds for children and young people. The 2 main groups of schools are mainstream schools and specialist schools.
- Mainstream school settings – all pupils can attend mainstream schools settings.
- Specialist schools / settings / provisions – To attend a specialist provision, the child/young person must have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
It is important that you get information about any school your child may go to and to visit the schools before, if possible. Every school has a designated Special Education Needs Co-Ordinator (SENCo) who will oversee any additional support that pupils may need. Ask to speak with your school’s SENCO if you have any questions.
There is a range of information on all the different types of schools in Leeds on the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Services (SENDIASS) SEND educational placements and provision options . This includes mainstream schools, specialist schools and home schooling.
Mainstream Schools
These schools can be accessed by all pupils; they teach pupils with a range of skills and abilities. Whilst each setting is different, they all have a legal duty to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and adapt their learning styles and resources to support them and ensure that they can make progress. These changes are known as ‘reasonable adjustments’ and are part of the Graduated Approach. Some mainstream schools have additional resources / provisions to support some of their students. These are described below.
These settings are for pupils with SEND who are able to access some mainstream school learning but also require access to specialist support.
Some mainstream settings work in partnership with their local Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre (SILC) to provide specialist trained staff and resources to allow a child or young person to be supported in a mainstream setting. In such cases, the child will remain on roll at the SILC but often wear the uniform and follow the routine of the mainstream setting.
A list of all the Partnership Provisions in Leeds can be found on the SENDIASS website here under the tab ‘Partnership Provisions’.
This is where a mainstream school has an additional resources provision in a specialist area. Such provisions include:
- Hearing and visual impairments
- Physical and medical difficulties
- Complex speech, language and communication
- Complex communication disorders and autism
- Specific learning difficulties
- General learning difficulties
Children are on roll of and fully included in the mainstream school, whilst receiving specialist interventions focused on their individual needs.
A list of all the Resourced Provisions in Leeds can be found on the SENDIASS website here under the tab ‘Resourced Provisions’.
Specialist Schools / Settings / Provisions
Children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) can consider attending specialist provisions. The different types of specialist schools in Leeds are outlined below. A list of all the specific specialist schools can be found on the SENDIASS website.
We would advise speaking to and/or visiting any potential settings to see if you think they may be suitable for your child. SENDIASS can also support parents/carers to think about questions they may want to ask before visiting any school.
These settings teach children and young people who have severe and complex needs, and where mainstream schools cannot fully meet their needs.
SILCS can provide access to and work in partnership with some mainstream settings.
There are five SILCS in each of the five Leeds areas. Children can only attend these settings if they have an EHCP and meet specific criteria.
Guidance from current SENCO and other professionals will support you in determining whether this type of setting would be appropriate.
A list of all the SILCs in Leeds can be found on the SENDIASS website here under the tab ‘Specialist Inclusive Learning Centres (SILCs)’.
Leeds offers a range of city-wide specialist provisions for children and young people with SEMH needs. Children can often only attend these settings if they have an EHCP and meet specific criteria.
Guidance from current SENDCO and other professionals will support you in determining whether this type of setting would be appropriate.
A list of all the SEMH provisions in Leeds can be found on the SENDIASS website here under the tab ‘Specialist Free Schools and Academies’.
There are citywide foundation learning and supported courses in Leeds, designed to meet the needs of young people aged 16 to 24 who have SEND.
A list of all the Post 16 provisions and colleges in Leeds can be found on the SENDIASS website here.
Independent specialist schools do not receive funding from the government. This means they have more control over how they do things. Some independent schools have fees for pupils to attend. Some of these schools have been approved by the Secretary of State, under section 41 of the Children and Families Act (2014), and can be requested to be named in an EHCP plan in the same way that maintained schools can.
A list of all the Partnership Provisions in Leeds can be found on the SENDIASS website here under the tab ‘Independent Specialist Schools’.
Choosing a School for your Child – Top Tips
- A good place to start is by visiting each school’s website and looking at their SEND pages; this will tell you who their SENCO is. You’ll also be able to see their SEND policy and school information report on their website, which will be useful to read before you visit.
- Decide which features are important e.g. good communication, evidence of a good understanding of autism/ADHD and whole school strategies in place.
- Arrange to visit as many schools as you can, so that you can meet with teachers, SENCO/headteacher. Take your child to visit the settings where possible to enable you to gauge their feeling about each one.
- Use the key questions guide below to help you getting a better understanding of what each school can offer your child.
- Make a shortlist of two or three schools that you liked; you might not always get your first choice so it’s important to have a backup.
Questions to ask when visiting the school
It can be helpful to have some specific questions in mind before visiting and / or speaking to the setting. There are some examples below that may help you make your own list.
Questions about the school
- How many children in the school have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and what range of needs do they have?
- How is progress measured and how frequently? Who tracks this?
- What support do you offer families?
- How will I know if my child is making progress?
- What visual strategies do you use in school?
- What after school activities (sports, band, drama, art) are available to students?
- What is the school’s an anti-bullying policy?
- How will the school help my child on transfer to the next phase of their education?
Questions about SEND
- How does the school meet individuals’ needs?
- Do you offer an induction package for children with SEND?
- How do you involve parents in the monitoring and planning for children with SEND?
- How much time is spent in the classroom and how often will they be removed for group or 1:1 work?
- Who provides extra support for children with SEND?
- How will the curriculum be matched to my child’s needs?
- Is the school environment and outdoor space suitable for my child? Will they have access to a sensory room / quiet space / breakout room? Where will they eat their lunch?
- What support do you get from outside agencies?
- How do you deliver / follow through the advice / programs from these professionals?
- How does the school support children with learning, emotional, or social challenges?
SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Services)
Leeds SENDIASS support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their parents and carers. They provide a free, impartial and confidential advice service for issues relating to education, particularly around choosing a school or applying for an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP).
Parents can contact the service via their website.