Special Educational Needs (SEN): Special schools & Units

Schools

Find school addresses, school remits and referral procedures.

How do you get a place at a speical school or unit?

In most cases children are placed in special schools and units because of a newly issued statement of SEN or by a newly issued amended statement.

In these cases Pupil Services will make the change in placement through the statutory procedures and panel meetings.

Which units need a statement of SEN?

Statements are needed for placements at:

  • Hedworthfield Language Unit
  • Fellgate Unit
  • Jarrow Post 11 Centre

Some unit placements are made for pupils at School Action Plus without the need for a statement of SEN.

Statements are not a requirement in:

  • Ashley Diagnostic and Assessment Unit
  • Biddick and Lukes Lane Junior behaviour support units
  • Jarrow Hearing Impaired Resource Base
  • Simonside Hearing Impaired Unit
  • Temple Park Educational Support Unit

Applying for a place

Where to apply
Unit Where to apply
Biddick and Lukes Lane Junior Behaviour Support Units Pupil Services at South Shields Town Hall
Temple Park Educational Support Unit
Fellgate Unit
Jarrow Post 11 Centre
Hedworthfield Language Unit
Ashley Diagnostic and Assessment Centre The Educational Psychology Service at Chuter Ede Education Centre
Hearing Impaired Units Hearing Impairment Service at Chuter Ede

In all cases the school/person submitting the request should send a letter with supporting documentation to Pupil Services, Educational Psychology or the Hearing Impaired Service.

Placements in special schools

Children placed in special schools should have a statement of SEN.

In exceptional cases a few children have been placed in a special school, on an assessment basis, without having a statement. 

If a child does not have a recently issued or recently amended statement, a request can be submitted to Pupil Services which will then be discussed at the next appropriate panel meeting.

Panel meetings

The role of panel meetings is to decide whether a child needs a special placement, and, if so, when a placement would be available for that child. 

Unit panel meetings are held each term so any requests for placements should be made before the meeting.

Panel meetings
Name of panel Date of next panel
Special school admissions 3 October 2008
Autism panel 15 October 2008
Ashley Diagnostic and Assessment Centre 16 October 2008
Temple Park panel 20 October 2008
Primary BSU 6 November 2008
Hedworthfield Language Development 6 November 2008
Galsworthy 9 October 2008

See also