Special schools
Special Schools are for children and young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Maintained Special Schools are owned and maintained by the Local Authority.
Special School Academies are publicly funded and have more freedom and control over:
- the curriculum
- school hours
- term dates
- staff pay and conditions
Independent Special Schools are usually privately run for profit. The Department for Education keeps a list of Independent Special Schools and Post-16 Institutions. These schools are approved under section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
The admission process for a Special School
Children and young people are referred to the Specialist Placement Panel. The panel will consider each individual case and decide if a specialist setting is appropriate to the child/young person’s Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND).
Special Schools in Westmorland and Furness
There are 3 Special Schools in Westmorland and Furness:
- Sandside Lodge School in Ulverston
- Sandgate School in Kendal
- George Hastwell School in Barrow-in-Furness