Finding a school to suit your child's needs
Most children of school age who have SEN or disabilities will attend a mainstream school. Some children who need a lot of help may need to be taught in a different type of school. This could be in a mainstream school with extra support (called 'enhanced provision') or a special school.
Mainstream schools
In County Durham, nearly all children and young people with special educational needs go to mainstream schools and achieve well.
Mainstream schools can offer:
- extra support and skilled class teachers that will adapt lessons to for children with different abilities and ways of learning
- improved accessibility - many schools have been re-built or updated
- access to specific therapy if needed
- the chance to make friends in the local community and mix with different types of people
Mainstream schools also receive money to help children with special educational needs and can sometimes get extra money to spend on an individual child who needs extra support.
Find a mainstream school on our Find a school or college page.
Mainstream schools with enhanced provision
Some mainstream schools have Enhanced Mainstream Provision (EMP) to meet the needs of some children and young people. An Education, Health and Care Assessment is not required to access this provision although we would need evidence that the child's needs are significant before offering a place.
| Specialist need | School name | Age range |
|---|---|---|
| Hearing impairment | Durham Gilesgate Primary School | 3-11 years |
| Hearing impairment | Belmont Community School | 11-16 years |
| Visual impairment | Belmont Community School | 11-16 years |
| Speech and language difficulties | Belmont Cheveley Park Primary School | 3-11 years |
| Speech and language difficulties | Timothy Hackworth Primary School | 2-11 years |
| Speech and language difficulties | Wheatley Hill Primary School | 2-11 years |
| Speech and language difficulties | North Durham Academy | 11-19 years |
| Physical difficulties | Howletch Lane Primary School | 3-11 years |
| Autism spectrum disorders | Bishop Barrington School | 11-16 years |
Special schools
For children and young people with the most complex needs, a place at a special school might be considered.
The special schools in County Durham are:
| School name | Type of SEN/disability | Age range |
|---|---|---|
| Croft Community School | Moderate learning difficulties and/or ASD | 4-16 years |
| Durham Trinity School and Sports College | Severe, profound, moderate and complex learning difficulties and/or ASD | 2-19 years |
| Elemore Hall School | Social, emotional and mental health difficulties (day and residential school) | 11-16 years |
| Evergreen Primary School | Severe, profound, moderate and complex learning difficulties and/or ASD | 2-11 years |
| Hope Wood Academy | Severe, profound and multiple, moderate learning difficulties, and/or ASD | 2-19 years |
| The Meadows School | Social, emotional and mental health difficulties | 11-16 years |
| The Oaks Secondary School | Severe, profound, moderate and complex learning difficulties and/or ASD | 11-19 years |
| The Woodlands | For both permanently excluded pupils and those identified as close to permanent exclusion | 5-16 years |
| Villa Real School | Severe, profound, medical and complex learning difficulties, some of whom also have ASD or Cerebral Palsy | 2-19 years |
| Walworth School | Social, emotional and mental health difficulties (day and residential school) | 4-11 years |
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