The right special school can transform your child’s education, wellbeing and confidence, says Harry Anderson, so it’s important to do your homework.
The Ofsted website (reports.ofsted.gov.uk) is a good place to start. That said, do not let the Ofsted reports be your deciding factor, as some outstanding schools on paper may not be the right fit for your child’s needs and personality.
Social Media can be an informative tool, giving an insight to parental feedback and direct views from parents /carers with knowledge of the school/college. The school or college should have an informative and current website, giving you further access to understand their policies, education and facilities, school activities and staffing team to name just a few. Be mindful of schools that do not display their teaching staff and qualifications as this might be a sign that they rely on unqualified teachers who are unlikely to provide your child with good enough standards of teaching and learning.
Consider therapy. For many SEN children, education and therapy go hand in hand. A great special school will offer and coordinate therapies such as Speech and Language, Occupational Therapy, Counselling, Behavioural Interventions etc. Ask how these are delivered; one-to-one, class settings or embedded into daily learning. The type of specialist setting that you are interested in should have the specific type of therapy, onsite, to suit your child and help them thrive.
The range of additional awards and accreditations the school has achieved are also useful points to look out for, determining the success, quality and calibre of the setting. The Investors in Career’s Award for example is an important award to demonstrate that the school takes careers seriously and is set up to get your child ready for employment, in a career which they are interested in. Specialist accreditations in various areas demonstrate the excellences of the school in certain fields, all of these accreditations should be clearly displayed on the school website. Check the range of subjects on offer. Are they suitable and likely to engage and motivate your child? Does the school offer both academic and vocational subjects, and what level of accreditation is provided? Does the school offer just ASDAN qualifications or do they offer BTEC and GCSE qualifications? Is the level of accreditation appropriate for your child?
Visiting a school gives real live insight into its atmosphere, staff and students in action and understanding further how it functions. When visiting a school, look at the environment. Is it calm, welcoming and safe? Are the pupils happy and engaged? Talk to staff and learn about their experiences, staff to pupil ratios and chat about their training. Is the curriculum flexible and personalised, do they offer life skills, vocational learning and therapies? Do pupils seem settled, safe, cared for and happy? Are the pupils supported, are positive behaviours encouraged, are the children listened to? Don’t shy away from tricky questions. How do they manage meltdowns, toileting, and communication?
You will be able to gauge your feelings for the school upon arrival and walking around the school during this tour. The best schools should be willing to show around providing a tour of their school, with willing and welcoming staff. The tour is your opportunity to delve further into the school and its suitability to your child’s needs and long-term suitability. Some schools are reluctant to offer tours. Good and Outstanding schools tend to be more accommodating, but it is well worth seeing more than one school so that you can make your own comparisons between each setting. Have a list of questions to hand to ask during your visit. How are EHCP’s implemented in daily practice? What therapies are on offer? How are transitions supported? Look for the school that genuinely wants to understand your child and not just fit them into the system.
Once you’ve exhausted your research and been to visit schools, you will have a feeling for what’s right. Trust your instincts. The right special school will give your child the structure, support and sense of belonging they need to flourish. Find the school that will work with your child’s potential. This can change everything for your child’s future and you as a family. This journey is not about ticking boxes, it is about finding a setting that believes in your child, adapts to their needs and offers the expertise to help them flourish—not just in school, but in life.