A child or young person has special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) if they have learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn than other pupils around the same age.

SEND could mean that a pupil has difficulties with:

  • communication and interaction - in expressing themselves or understanding what others are saying
  • cognition and learning - in gaining basic skills in school such as reading and writing 
  • social, emotional or mental health difficulties - making friends or relating to adults or behaving well in school
  • sensory impairments - such as hearing or visual impairment, which might affect them in school
  • physical impairments or a medical or health condition which may slow down a child’s progress or involves treatment that affects their education

View the SEND guide for parents and carers

SEN Support at school

Many young people will have special educational needs of some kind during their education.

Schools and other organisations can help most pupils overcome the barriers their difficulties present quickly and easily.

Some children and young people will need extra help for some or all of their time in school. Children and young people make progress at different rates and have different ways they learn best.

Teachers  consider this when they organise lessons and teach. Extra help or different lessons can be given to children and young people who have difficulties in one or more area to help them succeed.

Each school has a special educational needs coordinator (SENCO).

If you have any concerns about your child you should contact the class teacher and the SENCO.