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Education settings in Hampshire

Information about schools and education provision in Hampshire

Finding the right school place involves weighing up the pros and cons of different schools and the chances of getting a place.

Even if you have been through school admission with other children, you may have a completely different set of questions for your child with additional needs.

The best thing you can do is get as much information about different schools as you can.

Most children with special educational needs (SEN) do not have an EHC plan. They are supported from the help generally available in their school. These children must go to mainstream school, and they will get a school place through the normal admissions system. All children and young people with SEND have the right to be educated in a mainstream settingif this is what they want, unless this would be incompatible with the efficient education of others.

Reading a school’s SEN Information Report is a good place to start when choosing a school. Each school is required to publish its SEN Information Report on its web site. This will help you find information about how the school supports children with special educational needs. SEN Information Report is intended to tell you how the school's SEN policy is used and how help and support for pupils with SEND works in that setting. You should also be able to find the school’s SEND policy on their website.

The SEN Information Report should be written in a way that makes the information clear and meaningful for parents.

In addition to the SEND policy and the SEND Information Report, you may also wish to read some of the school’s other policies including their medical needs policy and behaviour policy if these are applicable to your child’s needs.

Finding a school and their SEN Information report in Hampshire

  1. Go to search for schools in Hampshire.
  2. Find a school
  3. Go to the school's website and find their SEN Information Report may also be called a SEN Policy, or SEN Offer.

Where on the school's website should I look?

These documents, or a combination of documents should be available on each education setting's individual website. They may have a specific SEN or local offer page on their website, if not, try searching within the policies section.

What if I can't find it on the school's website?

Each education setting's website is slightly different in the design and layout. Look for a website section called 'Policies' or 'SEN Information'. If you have any difficulty finding copies, please contact the school directly and ask.

 

Reading a school’s SEN Information Report is a good place to start when choosing a school. Each school is required to publish its SEN Information Report on its web site. This will help you find information about how the school supports children with special educational needs. SEN Information Report is intended to tell you how the school's SEN policy is used and how help and support for pupils with SEND works in that setting. You should also be able to find the school’s SEND policy on their website.

The SEN Information Report should be written in a way that makes the information clear and meaningful for parents.

In addition to the SEND policy and the SEND Information Report, you may also wish to read some of the school’s other policies including their medical needs policy and behaviour policy if these are applicable to your child’s needs.

Finding a school and their SEN Information report in Hampshire

  1. Go to search for schools in Hampshire.
  2. Find a school
  3. Go to the school's website and find their SEN Information Report may also be called a SEN Policy, or SEN Offer.

Where on the school's website should I look?

These documents, or a combination of documents should be available on each education setting's individual website. They may have a specific SEN or local offer page on their website, if not, try searching within the policies section.

What if I can't find it on the school's website?

Each education setting's website is slightly different in the design and layout. Look for a website section called 'Policies' or 'SEN Information'. If you have any difficulty finding copies, please contact the school directly and ask.

 

From Ofsted

You can find Ofsted inspection reports either through a link from the school’s website or from the Ofsted website. Be aware that reports may be several years old and that schools can change from one year to another.

Visiting schools

You may like to take the opportunity to visit a number of schools to help you decide as this can give you a feel for how your child would fit in at different schools.

Every educational setting (school, college etc.) is required by the Children and Families Act 2014, to have its own individual special educational needs (SEN) offer. You may wish to ask to speak to the school’s SENDCo about your child and their needs if you have questions or concerns about how they will be supported at the school.

All mainstream schools have open events as part of the normal admission round, but it can also be helpful to visit during the normal school day.

It’s a good idea to take with you a consistent list of questions, particularly if you are visiting a lot of schools. The leaflet "checklist for visiting schools - a guide for parents and carers” gives some examples of questions you can ask each school you visit but you may also have other questions that you would like to ask. You may also like to take a brief summary of your child’s strengths and difficulties, such as a one-page profile. This will help give the school a sense of your child as a person.

 

From Ofsted

You can find Ofsted inspection reports either through a link from the school’s website or from the Ofsted website. Be aware that reports may be several years old and that schools can change from one year to another.

Visiting schools

You may like to take the opportunity to visit a number of schools to help you decide as this can give you a feel for how your child would fit in at different schools.

Every educational setting (school, college etc.) is required by the Children and Families Act 2014, to have its own individual special educational needs (SEN) offer. You may wish to ask to speak to the school’s SENDCo about your child and their needs if you have questions or concerns about how they will be supported at the school.

All mainstream schools have open events as part of the normal admission round, but it can also be helpful to visit during the normal school day.

It’s a good idea to take with you a consistent list of questions, particularly if you are visiting a lot of schools. The leaflet "checklist for visiting schools - a guide for parents and carers” gives some examples of questions you can ask each school you visit but you may also have other questions that you would like to ask. You may also like to take a brief summary of your child’s strengths and difficulties, such as a one-page profile. This will help give the school a sense of your child as a person.

 

Normal admissions round

You can apply for a school place for your child through Hampshire School Admissions.

Parents usually apply for school places when children start school for the first time or move to a different phase of education, for example from primary to secondary school. This is called the 'Normal Admissions Round'. Admissions are coordinated centrally by the local authority where the child lives. There is a single national deadline for secondary applications (31 October) and one for primary applications (15 January).

Normal admissions round

You can apply for a school place for your child through Hampshire School Admissions.

Parents usually apply for school places when children start school for the first time or move to a different phase of education, for example from primary to secondary school. This is called the 'Normal Admissions Round'. Admissions are coordinated centrally by the local authority where the child lives. There is a single national deadline for secondary applications (31 October) and one for primary applications (15 January).

Oversubscription criteria

It is also worth considering that many schools have more applicants than places available and use oversubscription criteria to decide which children have priority. You can find out more information on the Hampshire County Council’s Admissions Guidance website.

Oversubscription criteria

It is also worth considering that many schools have more applicants than places available and use oversubscription criteria to decide which children have priority. You can find out more information on the Hampshire County Council’s Admissions Guidance website.

Choosing a school for your child is a really individual to your family and your child. All schools in Hampshire are expected to provide good quality teaching to all children and SEND support to children with SEND. Find out more about what SEND support schools are expected to provide.

The catchment mainstream school is where most children will attend. If you chose to send your child to a school further away, you will need to be sure you can get your child there and back each day. 

As a general rule, no. School admissions are covered by the Equality Act 2010. If you are going through the normal admissions system, a school cannot refuse to take your child because they have a disability or SEN, if your child would otherwise have qualified for a place under the admission criteria. If your child is finding it difficult to get a school place due to their needs, it is important to know about the Fair Access Protocol. This is a mechanism, required by law, that helps vulnerable children get a school place as quickly as possible when they are having difficulty securing one through the normal admissions process. It ensures that schools share the responsibility of admitting children who have been excluded or have challenging behaviour, preventing any single school from being overburdened. The FAP is triggered when a child, outside of the normal admissions round, remains unplaced after standard in-year admission procedures have been exhausted. 

As a general rule, no. School admissions are covered by the Equality Act 2010. If you are going through the normal admissions system, a school cannot refuse to take your child because they have a disability or SEN, if your child would otherwise have qualified for a place under the admission criteria. If your child is finding it difficult to get a school place due to their needs, it is important to know about the Fair Access Protocol. This is a mechanism, required by law, that helps vulnerable children get a school place as quickly as possible when they are having difficulty securing one through the normal admissions process. It ensures that schools share the responsibility of admitting children who have been excluded or have challenging behaviour, preventing any single school from being overburdened. The FAP is triggered when a child, outside of the normal admissions round, remains unplaced after standard in-year admission procedures have been exhausted. 

If your child has Special Educational Needs (SEN) and has either a:

  • Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
  • or proposed EHCP

You will be invited to express your views about a school for your child/young person. The SEN Service is responsible for naming a school in section I of the EHCP but will make this decision in partnership with you.

For the majority of children with a EHCP it is expected that they will attend their local mainstream school alongside their peers and all schools have a duty to meet the needs of children and young people with SEN.

The final decision regarding suitable educational provision for your child cannot be made until all the information is gathered and evaluated. The draft EHCP will not have a placement detailed on it as placement is not decided until we have received your feedback on the draft Plan and your thoughts and wishes regarding school placement.

You may want your child to attend a non-maintained special school, or an independent school or college which has facilities for pupils with special educational needs. Your wishes will be considered carefully before we make a final decision.

We must comply with your preference and name that school unless:

  • it would be unsuitable for the age, ability, aptitude or SEN of the child or young person, or
  • the attendance of the child or young person there would be incompatible with the efficient education of others, or
  • the efficient use of resources

It is increasingly unusual for us not to be able to make provision for a child or young person in a school or college in Hampshire.

If your child has Special Educational Needs (SEN) and has either a:

  • Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
  • or proposed EHCP

You will be invited to express your views about a school for your child/young person. The SEN Service is responsible for naming a school in section I of the EHCP but will make this decision in partnership with you.

For the majority of children with a EHCP it is expected that they will attend their local mainstream school alongside their peers and all schools have a duty to meet the needs of children and young people with SEN.

The final decision regarding suitable educational provision for your child cannot be made until all the information is gathered and evaluated. The draft EHCP will not have a placement detailed on it as placement is not decided until we have received your feedback on the draft Plan and your thoughts and wishes regarding school placement.

You may want your child to attend a non-maintained special school, or an independent school or college which has facilities for pupils with special educational needs. Your wishes will be considered carefully before we make a final decision.

We must comply with your preference and name that school unless:

  • it would be unsuitable for the age, ability, aptitude or SEN of the child or young person, or
  • the attendance of the child or young person there would be incompatible with the efficient education of others, or
  • the efficient use of resources

It is increasingly unusual for us not to be able to make provision for a child or young person in a school or college in Hampshire.

If you live close to the Hampshire border the nearest appropriate school or college for your child may be in the area of a neighbouring local authority.

You can apply for a place through Hampshire School Admissions for schools outside of Hampshire. 

If your child has an EHCP, before naming that school or college in your child’s Educational Health and Care Plan (EHCP), the Local Authority must consult the other local authority and the school or college.

Find links to the Local Offers in neighbouring counties.

If you live close to the Hampshire border the nearest appropriate school or college for your child may be in the area of a neighbouring local authority.

You can apply for a place through Hampshire School Admissions for schools outside of Hampshire. 

If your child has an EHCP, before naming that school or college in your child’s Educational Health and Care Plan (EHCP), the Local Authority must consult the other local authority and the school or college.

Find links to the Local Offers in neighbouring counties.

Sometimes Hampshire County Council are asked to support a residential placement for a child or young person. This is done if one of the following criteria is met:

  • your child needs highly specialist educational provision which is available only in a small number of establishments nationwide
  • the overall needs of your child are best met by a co-ordinated plan of support which is agreed by, as appropriate, Health, and the local authority’s Social Care and SEN Service
  • Hampshire’s own specialist provision is too far from your home to make daily travel possible
  • Hampshire’s own specialist placements are full and it is necessary to find an appropriate placement further afield.

The SEN Service does not provide short break (respite) facilities for families. If the reason a residential school is wanted is not an education one, your EHC Needs Co-ordinator will be pleased to advise you on how to contact Social Care to request an assessment.

Sometimes Hampshire County Council are asked to support a residential placement for a child or young person. This is done if one of the following criteria is met:

  • your child needs highly specialist educational provision which is available only in a small number of establishments nationwide
  • the overall needs of your child are best met by a co-ordinated plan of support which is agreed by, as appropriate, Health, and the local authority’s Social Care and SEN Service
  • Hampshire’s own specialist provision is too far from your home to make daily travel possible
  • Hampshire’s own specialist placements are full and it is necessary to find an appropriate placement further afield.

The SEN Service does not provide short break (respite) facilities for families. If the reason a residential school is wanted is not an education one, your EHC Needs Co-ordinator will be pleased to advise you on how to contact Social Care to request an assessment.

Your ambitions are at the heart of your Post 16 journey, a young people’s views are central to decision making and you should base your decisions on your experiences inside and outside of the classroom to date. ​

In Hampshire the majority of young people with special educational needs transfer to a local college or sixth form after year 11. ​

There is more information about the types of course options available and you, and you may want to visit colleges that you are interested in. Below are some guides that can help you decide if a college is suitable for you.

To find out more about post 16 options please see our Post 16 Options webpage.

Your ambitions are at the heart of your Post 16 journey, a young people’s views are central to decision making and you should base your decisions on your experiences inside and outside of the classroom to date. ​

In Hampshire the majority of young people with special educational needs transfer to a local college or sixth form after year 11. ​

There is more information about the types of course options available and you, and you may want to visit colleges that you are interested in. Below are some guides that can help you decide if a college is suitable for you.

To find out more about post 16 options please see our Post 16 Options webpage.

Placements at independent education providers are only made in exceptional circumstances when local mainstream schools, special schools or colleges which maintained by the Local Authority or are academies are unable to meet learners’ special educational needs. This is because we have a duty to use public money responsibly and SEN schools in the independent sector are often many times more expensive than our maintained or academy SEN schools.

The Local Authority uses the Department for Education list of agreed independent providers should it be required to consult with an independent school or college. 

You can explore the list of agreed Section 41 independent providers.

Natspec is the membership association for Specialist Colleges. The Natspec College Directory has contact details for each college, information about their courses, specialist support areas and college facilities.

Search for all schools, including independent and Section 41 registered schools.

Placements at independent education providers are only made in exceptional circumstances when local mainstream schools, special schools or colleges which maintained by the Local Authority or are academies are unable to meet learners’ special educational needs. This is because we have a duty to use public money responsibly and SEN schools in the independent sector are often many times more expensive than our maintained or academy SEN schools.

The Local Authority uses the Department for Education list of agreed independent providers should it be required to consult with an independent school or college. 

You can explore the list of agreed Section 41 independent providers.

Natspec is the membership association for Specialist Colleges. The Natspec College Directory has contact details for each college, information about their courses, specialist support areas and college facilities.

Search for all schools, including independent and Section 41 registered schools.

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