IPSEA
Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (IPSEA) offers free and independent legally based education advice to parents of children with SEND. They also provide training on the SEND legal framework to parents and carers.
Information & advice
SEN support in secondary schools
This guide is designed to help parents and carers understand how SEND support works in secondary settings, how to work effectively with your child’s school, and what to expect as they move toward adulthood.
What makes secondary school different?
Secondary school environments are typically much larger, with pupils moving between multiple teachers and classrooms throughout the day. This shift can bring:
Greater expectations for independence and organisation
Your child will be expected to manage their own timetables, equipment, and lots of different types of homework. This can be a huge leap from primary school, where one teacher guided them through the day and knew their routine/needs.
Social and emotional pressures
Navigating friendships, peer influence, and identity becomes a central part of school life. The social landscape can be complex and emotional, which can be difficult to navigate and understand.
Multiple teachers
Rather than having one main teacher, a pupil will interact with a variety of subject specialists. This means your child will need to build relationships with many different adults, and those adults in turn will need to understand your child and their specific needs.
Understanding secondary school settings
Mainstream primary schools
Mainstream secondary schools are standard state or private secondary schools that most children attend. They are legally required to provide a supportive and inclusive environment.
The SEND support is coordinated across the school and is delivered by different staff members. This can include a combination of differentiated teaching in the classroom (where lessons are adapted to meet different learning needs), targeted interventions (such as small group work on specific skills), and support from a Teaching Assistant (TA).
Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools
SEN schools are designed for pupils with higher levels of need, typically with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
They provide tailored learning environments, often with smaller class sizes, a higher staff-to-pupil ratio, specialised teaching methods, and a curriculum that is adapted to meet each child’s individual needs.
As well as academic learning, SEN secondary schools often place a strong focus on developing life skills and preparing pupils for life after school. This can include practical skills such as cooking, travel training, and money management, as well as guidance for further education, training, or employment opportunities.
SEN support without an EHCP
For pupils with SEND who do not have an EHCP, schools provide support through the Graduated Approach: a cycle of Assess – Plan – Do – Review
1. Assess: The school identifies the pupil’s needs through observation, assessment, and conversations with you and your child.
2. Plan: They create a support plan detailing the strategies and interventions to be used. This plan should be shared with you.
3. Do: The plan is put into action, with support from teachers and support staff.
4. Review: The effectiveness of the support is reviewed regularly, and the plan is adjusted as needed.
Interventions may include small group literacy or numeracy support, social skills groups, or the use of specific resources in class. Progress is carefully monitored to ensure the support is having a positive impact.
Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
An EHCP is a legal document for pupils with complex or significant needs. The plan outlines a pupil’s special educational needs, the provision required to meet those needs, the outcomes they should be working towards and how it will be measured. It’s a vital tool that ensures all staff understand and implement the required support.
EHCPs are formally reviewed at least once a year in an annual review. These meetings are essential for ensuring the plan remains relevant and effective. The voice of both parents and the pupil is a central part of this process; your views and your child’s feelings about their progress and aspirations must be considered.
Learn more in our EHCP guide here.
Role of the SENCO
The Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) is a key figure in the school, responsible for the strategic overview of SEND provision.
Their role includes:
- Coordinating provision: The SENCO ensures that support is consistent and effective across all departments and key stages. They are the go-to person for all staff for advice and guidance on SEND.
- Supporting staff: They provide guidance, training, and resources to teachers and support staff on how to best meet the needs of pupils with SEND.
- Managing EHCPs: The SENCO oversees the EHCP process, including annual reviews and the creation of support plans.
Key people supporting your child
Secondary school involves a team of people working to support your child and understanding their roles is key to effective communication.
- Form Teacher: Your child’s first point of contact for day-to-day pastoral matters, the form teacher often gets to know your child best and can be an invaluable source of support.
- Subject Teachers: Plan and deliver lessons in ways that meet the needs of all pupils, using adaptations and differentiation to ensure everyone can access the learning.
- Teaching Assistants (TAs): TAs may offer one-to-one or small group support, both in and out of the classroom.
- Pastoral Team: Made up of Heads of Year and wellbeing officers, this team supports your child’s attendance, behaviour, and overall wellbeing, ensuring they feel safe and cared for at school.
- SENCO and any Learning Support Team: Coordinates all SEND provision and provides specialised support.
Building independence and life skills
A major focus of secondary school is preparing young people for adulthood. This includes opportunities to develop life skills and greater independence in a supportive environment. Schools can provide structured opportunities for pupils to take on more responsibility for their learning and daily routines. This focus on independence is crucial for helping them get ready for life after school.
Preparing for transitions
Secondary school involves several important transitions, and planning can help make these transitions as smooth and positive as possible for your child.
Year 6 to Year 7
This is a crucial transition period. Schools should have a plan in place to support this move, which may include extra visits to the school, a transition mentor, or detailed information sharing with the primary school.
EHCP Review in Year 9
The annual review in Year 9 is a vital meeting focused on a pupil’s preparation for adulthood. This review will begin to explore future aspirations and potential post-16 options.
Post-16 options
The final years of secondary school involve planning for what comes next. Options can include college, sixth form, supported internships, or apprenticeships.
Learn more about post-16 pathways in our Post-16 support guide here.
Questions to ask your child’s secondary school
When visiting secondary schools, it’s important to ask specific questions about their SEND provision. This not only helps you understand the level of support available but also gives you a sense of how the school approaches inclusion, learning, and wellbeing for pupils with additional needs. Asking the right questions can give you confidence that the school’s environment and resources will match your child’s needs and help them thrive.
You can find a list of questions that you might want to ask in our Questions to Ask When Visiting a Secondary School guide here.
Where to get support
Wherever you are on your child’s SEND journey through secondary school, you don’t have to do navigate it alone. Alongside Kids, there are many organisations offering guidance, advice, and practical support.
SENDIAS services
We provide SENDIAS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support) services in several regional areas. Our support is free, impartial, and confidential, offering guidance to families of children and young people with SEND.
We’re here to help you understand your rights, navigate the SEND system, and support you through important decisions about education, health, and care.
“Kids were the first people to ever back me up in meetings regarding education. They were knowledgeable, supportive and helpful in every way.”
Useful links
Contact
Contact provide online, printed and helpline advice on education, benefits and finances, childcare, social care, medical information and more. They run programmes across the UK, including information sessions, workshops, drop-ins in hospitals and parenting courses.
EHCP process
Find out more about the EHCP process; requesting an EHC assessment, creating an EHC plan and disagreeing with a decision.
Find your local authority
Enter your postcode on the GOV.UK website to find your local authority, then visit their SEN support section to learn more about the support available in your area.