Education
Children aged 5-11 go to a primary school and older children aged 11 - 18 go to secondary schools. Primary schools can be for children aged 5 -11 or may be infant schools (from ages 5-7) and junior schools (from ages 7-11). Special schools often cater for children from ages 3-16. Some special schools offer places for young people up to 19 years.
Nearly all children with special educational needs and disability (SEND) go to a 'mainstream' early years setting or school. Many children and young people may need some extra help or support at some time. Very few children will have special educational needs (SEN) that are long-term or a disability or medical condition that significantly affects their learning. It is important to identify children who do have special educational needs and disability (SEND) as early as possible. This is known as early intervention and makes sure they get the help they need.
Children have ‘special educational needs and disability’ if they have learning difficulties or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn than most children of the same age.
The government says that children have a learning difficulty if they:
- have a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children of the same age
- or if they have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of educational facilities of a kind generally provided for children of the same age
This is the definition given in the special educational needs and disability Code of Practice (2014). The Department for Education has a guide that explains how the system that supports children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities works.
If you are worried about your child you should talk to their class teacher, school SENCO or early years setting. You could talk to another professional such as a health visitor, GP or childminder. They will be able to help find out whether your child may have special educational needs and disability.
Accessibility strategy
The Royal Greenwich Accessibility Strategy for 2016-2019 can be found here
For further information please contact:
Inclusion, Learning & Achievement
Telephone: 020 8921 5560
Email: services-to-schools@royalgreenwich.gov.uk