Choosing a primary school for a child with SEND

In this guide:

When should I start looking at primary schools?

It’s helpful to begin exploring primary schools in the summer or early autumn before the January application deadline. This gives you time to research your options, visit, and think about what might suit your child best.

In England, most children start Reception in the September after their fourth birthday. If your child turns four between 1 September and 31 August, they’ll usually begin school the following September.

Tips for choosing a primary school

Choosing the right school can feel like a big decision but breaking it down into smaller steps can help. Here are some tips to help you choose:

1. Create a personalised checklist

Start by making a list of the things that matter most to you and your child. These might include accessibility, class sizes, communication styles, or approaches to emotional regulation. A checklist can help you ask questions when visiting schools.

2. Check your local offer

Visit your local authority’s website to explore the Local Offer, listing all nearby schools (including SEN settings) and what SEND support they offer.

Find your local offer.

3. Explore the school’s website

Take a look at the school’s website; every school is required to publish the following information:

• Admission arrangements, including how to apply
• Curriculum details
• Behaviour policy
• Links to Ofsted reports
• Their Special Educational Needs (SEN) information report, including information about their policies for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

If you can’t find this information, contact the school office directly.

4. Gather any documents

It’s helpful to have any reports about your child ready to share. This might include a draft or final EHCP, educational psychologist report, speech and language therapy report and/or SEND support plans used at nursery.

5. Visit local schools

Visiting schools is crucial, and it’s best to try to see at least two. It’s also important to remember that some areas have infant schools (Reception to Year 2) rather than full primary schools (Reception to Year 6).

Seeing the environment in person helps you understand whether it’s the right fit for your child and can provide context if you need to explain to the local authority why a particular school may not be suitable.

When booking a visit, schools often have set dates for open days or tours and it’s important to contact them early to get on the list before it is fully booked.

6. Ask questions

It’s completely okay to ask lots of questions. You might want to know how the school supports children with SEND, what staff training looks like, or how they communicate with parents. You may also want to ask to meet the SENCO – they coordinate SEN provision and can answer detailed questions about support.

Need help with what to ask? Use our list of suggested primary school questions here.

7. Take time to reflect

After your visits, take time to consider the options. A pros and cons list can help you weigh up how well each school aligns with your child’s needs. If you’re torn between schools, you could speak with your nursery or other professionals who know your child well – they may have helpful insights.

Applying for a primary school place

SEN school

The first step is getting an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) for your child.

If your child has an EHCP, you may not need to apply through the usual school’s admission process. If a school is named in the EHCP, the local authority will consult with them to confirm your child’s place. By law (Section 43 of the Children and Families Act 2014), the child must be offered a place at the school stated in the EHCP unless there’s a lawful reason not to.

Find out more about choosing a school with an EHCP here.

Mainstream school

You must apply for a mainstream school place through your local authority. You’ll usually be asked to list at least three choices on the application form which you can complete online through the council’s admissions page.

Find your local authority here.

All schools have admission criteria either set by the local authority or the school themselves. This can differ between schools, but here are a few things to note:

• Attending a school nursery does not guarantee a place in Reception.
• By law, schools cannot have more than 30 children in a class per teacher if children are under 7 years old, except in special circumstances.
• If there are more applications than places, schools may give priority based on certain criteria such as, distance from the school or whether your child has siblings there.

Find out more about admissions criteria here.

What happens after choosing a primary school?

Once you’ve chosen a primary school, let your child’s nursery or early years setting know your decision. They can then work with the school to organise transition visits and support your child in preparing for their new school. These visits can make a big difference, helping your child feel more confident and secure ahead of the move.

Read more about transitioning from Early Years to Primary.