Most parents arrive at this search with a folder of reports and a real fear that no school will be quite right for their child. Some will be. The difference between them rarely shows on a prospectus, so this guide sets out what each specialist school is actually built for.
Choosing between SEN schools in London is not as simple as finding a school that supports your child’s diagnosis. Two schools may both work with autistic pupils, for example, while offering very different environments, academic expectations, class sizes and levels of therapeutic support.
How Lionheart Helps Families Looking at SEN Schools in London
Lionheart has worked with families on school placement since 1989, and much of that work now involves children with special educational needs. Most parents who come to us have already read the school websites. What they need is someone who knows which of those schools would genuinely suit their child, and which would struggle.
School Search and SEND Consultancy
Our SEND consultancy starts with your child rather than the list. We look at their academic profile, learning needs, emotional wellbeing and school history, then at the admissions routes realistically open to them. Our school placement consultants turn that into a shortlist worth visiting, and we will tell you plainly when a school on your own list is unlikely to work.
Specialist SEN Tutors
Securing a specialist place can take months, and learning should not stall in the meantime. Our SEN tutors work one to one with children who have dyslexia, dyscalculia, speech and language needs and other learning differences. We also have dedicated autism tutors and ADHD tutors, and our EHCP tutors work to the outcomes set out in a child’s plan, at home or alongside school.
Lionheart School and Homeschooling
Some children need somewhere to learn now, not next September. Lionheart School offers full-time and part-time one-to-one education in West London, and for children learning at home we provide SEND homeschooling with specialist tutors.
About This Guide
For families researching special educational needs in London, the first difficulty is often knowing which schools are genuinely relevant. Some parents begin with searches such as SEN schools near me, special needs schools or autism schools near me, but location is only one part of the decision.
This guide to SEN schools in London brings together selected independent, non-maintained and state-funded specialist settings across the capital. For each school, we have included the age range, the principal needs supported, the published EHCP position, Section 41 status for independent schools and the admissions assessment process where that information is available.
The guide is strongest on central, west and south London. If you live in an outer borough such as Barnet, Bromley, Harrow or Richmond, your council’s Local Offer lists the special schools in and around the borough and is the best place to widen the search.
The point is not to say one school is “best”. It is to make the first stage of the search more useful.
Information in this guide was checked in September 2026. Admissions criteria, age ranges, and provision can change, so families should always confirm the current position directly with a school before making an application.
Choosing Between SEN Schools in London
A diagnosis is a starting point, not a school recommendation.
A useful shortlist should take account of how your child learns, the level of academic work they can access, communication needs, sensory profile, emotional regulation, class size and the level of therapeutic input required.
It is also worth paying attention to what a school says it cannot support. Specialist schools tend to have relatively defined pupil profiles. One autism specialist setting may work with pupils following a broadly age-related curriculum. Another may be designed for children with severe learning difficulties and substantial communication needs.
Does My Child Need an EHCP to Attend an SEN School?
For a state special school, almost always. For an independent one, it depends on the school.
State-funded SEN schools in London are accessed through the EHCP process in almost every case. The main exception is a short assessment placement agreed by the local authority while a plan is being prepared. Parents can express a preference for a specialist setting, and the local authority consults with schools before a placement is named in the final plan.
When a plan is being drafted or amended, you have the right to ask the local authority to name a particular state special school, academy or non-maintained special school. The local authority must consult that school and must name it unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability, aptitude or SEN, or incompatible with the efficient education of others or the efficient use of resources.
Independent SEN schools have more varied arrangements. Some require an EHCP and local authority referral. Others can assess children whose plan is still being prepared, and some accept privately funded pupils without an EHCP.
Section 41 status matters here. The right to request applies to an independent special school only if it appears on the Department for Education’s Section 41 approved list. For a school on that list, the local authority must consult it, and once it is named in the plan the school must admit your child. You can still ask for a school that is not on the list, but the local authority is not under the same duty to consult it. We have included Section 41 status for every independent school below.
For that reason, this guide uses four descriptions in the “EHCP required” field:
- Yes: The school explicitly states that an EHCP is required.
- No: The school explicitly accepts pupils without one.
- Depends on placement route: Requirements differ according to the funding, referral or admissions route.
- Not clearly stated: The school’s published information does not give a sufficiently clear answer, so we have not guessed.
Where a school’s position comes with a condition, such as an assessment placement or a plan still being finalised, we use the closest description and explain the detail underneath. The same principle applies to assessments. Where a school does not clearly publish an assessment stage, we say so.
Independent and Non-Maintained SEN Schools in London
The schools below are organised by borough to make the guide easier to scan. This is a researched selection of SEN schools in London, not a claim to list every specialist setting in the capital.
SEN Schools in Westminster
Abingdon House Senior School
Abingdon House Senior School in Marylebone supports pupils with mild to moderate special educational needs, including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and social communication difficulties.
- Ages: 11–19
- EHCP required: No
- Section 41 approved: No
- Assessment before admission: Yes
Most pupils have an EHCP, but the school explicitly states that this is not a condition of entry. Families submit reports and relevant professional information before a prospective pupil is invited to trial at the school.
Last checked: September 2026
Fairley House School
Fairley House School specialises in specific learning differences, particularly dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia.
- Ages: 5–16
- EHCP required: No
- Section 41 approved: No
- Assessment before admission: Yes
Fairley House accepts children both with and without EHCPs. Prospective pupils complete a three-day assessment involving lessons, observations and input from members of the school’s therapy team.
Last checked: September 2026
SEN Schools in Kensington and Chelsea
Abingdon House Prep School
Abingdon House Prep School in South Kensington is the younger provision within Abingdon House School. It supports children with profiles that may include autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and social communication difficulties.
- Ages: 7–13
- EHCP required: No
- Section 41 approved: No
- Assessment before admission: Yes
The current age range is important here. Abingdon House now describes its Prep provision as ages 7–13, but the Department for Education register still records Abingdon House as a single Westminster school for ages 5–19, so the official record lags behind the school’s current structure.
Last checked: September 2026
Snowflake School
Snowflake School specialises in education for autistic children and young people.
- Ages: 5–16
- EHCP required: Yes, or the child should be working towards one
- Section 41 approved: No
- Assessment before admission: Yes
The school requires a primary autism diagnosis, and a child should have an EHCP or be working towards one. Its admissions process includes a review of documentation followed by an assessment of the child’s needs before a placement decision is made.
Snowflake is registered under Kensington and Chelsea, but its registered address is in Acton (W3), in Ealing, and the charity operates across two sites. Check which site your child would attend before planning the journey.
Last checked: September 2026
SEN Schools in Hammersmith and Fulham
Parayhouse School
Parayhouse School works with pupils whose primary need is speech, language and communication.
- Year groups: Year 1–Year 11
- EHCP required: Depends on placement route
- Section 41 approved: No
- Assessment before admission: Yes
Referrals can begin with a local authority or directly with parents. Privately funded placements are possible. The school may visit the child in their current setting or invite them for one or more observation days before confirming it can meet their needs.
Last checked: September 2026
Emerson House
Emerson House in Hammersmith is a specialist teaching centre for primary-age children with dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia, sometimes alongside attention difficulties.
- Ages: Primary age (confirm directly)
- EHCP required: Not clearly stated
- Section 41 approved: No
- Assessment before admission: Yes
Emerson House works differently from the other schools in this guide. Most children attend part-time for specialist teaching while staying at their mainstream school, and a smaller number attend full-time. It suits children whose main barrier is literacy or maths rather than a need for a specialist school environment. The centre uses its own assessment alongside existing specialist reports to plan each child’s programme.
Last checked: September 2026
Burlington House School
Burlington House School supports pupils with specific learning differences. Its provision particularly focuses on dyslexia, with support for needs including dyspraxia, dyscalculia, ADHD, mild speech and language difficulties and some autistic pupils.
- Ages: 7–21 on the DfE register
- EHCP required: No
- Section 41 approved: No
- Assessment before admission: Yes
The school has Prep, Senior and Sixth Form provision. Current government records show pupils both with and without EHCPs. Prospective pupils take part in “Acquaint Days”, which allow the school to observe them in lessons and carry out individual assessment.
There is also a separately registered Burlington House School Tooting for ages 11–16, which the DfE records under Lambeth.
Last checked: September 2026
SEN Schools in Wandsworth
BeyondAutism Park House School
Park House School is an autism specialist school run by BeyondAutism.
- Ages: 4–11
- EHCP required: Not clearly stated in current public admissions information
- Section 41 approved: Yes
- Assessment before admission: Not clearly stated
DfE data records every pupil at Park House as having an EHCP, although the school’s public admissions information does not state it as a rule. The current age range is 4–11. Some older school directories still show Park House as admitting pupils up to age 13.
Last checked: September 2026
BeyondAutism Tram House School
Tram House School provides specialist education for autistic pupils through secondary school and sixth form.
- Ages: 11–19
- EHCP required: Not clearly stated in current public admissions information
- Section 41 approved: Yes
- Assessment before admission: Not clearly stated
The main school provision covers ages 11–16, with sixth form provision for ages 16–19. DfE data records all but one pupil as having an EHCP.
Last checked: September 2026
Centre Academy London
Centre Academy London is a small independent school in Battersea for pupils with learning differences.
- Ages: 11–19
- EHCP required: Not clearly stated
- Section 41 approved: No
- Assessment before admission: Yes
The school supports pupils with needs including dyslexia, ADHD, autism, speech and language needs and mild to moderate learning difficulties. Its admissions process is deliberately selective about pupil fit because of the small school environment.
Last checked: September 2026
Chelsea Hall School
Chelsea Hall School is a small specialist school with a maximum of 48 pupils.
- Ages: 4–11
- EHCP required: No
- Section 41 approved: No
- Assessment before admission: Yes
A child spends at least two days at the school as part of the admissions process. The teaching and therapy team use this period to judge how the child manages in the environment and if their needs can be properly supported.
Last checked: September 2026
Roehampton Gate School
Roehampton Gate School is an independent specialist school for pupils with autism and associated learning needs.
- Ages: 7–19
- EHCP required: Yes
- Section 41 approved: Yes
- Assessment before admission: Yes
Current admissions criteria require an EHCP and autism or associated SEN needs. A school visit can include observation in class so staff can assess the suitability of the placement.
The pupil profile is narrower than the word “autism” suggests. The school specialises in able autistic pupils who may be working up to three years below age-related expectations, so it is worth reading its own description closely before applying.
Last checked: September 2026
SEN Schools in Merton
Lavender Lodge School
Lavender Lodge School is an independent specialist day school in Mitcham.
- Ages: 5–12
- EHCP required: Yes
- Section 41 approved: No
- Assessment before admission: Yes
The school primarily supports autistic pupils, including children with additional speech and language needs, moderate or severe learning difficulties, sensory needs and associated behavioural difficulties. A local authority referral includes the child’s EHCP, which is the standard route in. The school initially reviews the paperwork and then invites suitable pupils and their families to visit.
Last checked: September 2026
Blossom House School
Blossom House School specialises in speech, language and communication needs and supports children who may also have additional diagnoses or learning needs. Its main site is in Motspur Park, in Merton, and it also runs a site in Euston, in Camden. Both are registered as one school.
- Ages: 3–19 across both sites
- EHCP required: Depends on placement route
- Section 41 approved: No
- Assessment before admission: Yes
The admissions process is unusually clear. The school reviews reports, conducts an initial assessment and then invites suitable pupils for a school trial. Primary and secondary applicants normally spend two or three days there as part of that process. Children do not need an EHCP in place to begin the assessment process. Ask which site suits your child’s age and needs when you first make contact.
Last checked: September 2026
SEN Schools in Camden
Gloucester House
Gloucester House is a very small independent special school with an integrated clinical team, for children with social, emotional and mental health needs.
- Ages: 5–14
- EHCP required: Not clearly stated
- Section 41 approved: Yes
- Assessment before admission: Not clearly stated
The school works with children whose SEMH needs may sit alongside language, literacy or broader learning difficulties. Education and therapeutic work are closely integrated.
Last checked: September 2026
SEN Schools in Haringey
Kestrel House School
Kestrel House School is a specialist school for autistic pupils with complex and additional learning needs.
- Ages: 5–16
- EHCP required: Yes
- Section 41 approved: No
- Assessment before admission: Yes
Referrals must come through a local authority. The school reviews the pupil’s papers and, where the profile appears suitable, offers an assessment before a placement is agreed.
Last checked: September 2026
TreeHouse School
TreeHouse School, part of Ambitious about Autism, is a non-maintained specialist school for autistic children and young people.
- Ages: 3–19
- EHCP required: Yes for the usual admissions route
- Section 41 approved: Not applicable. As a non-maintained special school, TreeHouse can be requested in an EHCP in the same way as a state special school.
- Assessment before admission: Yes
The school is normally named within a pupil’s EHCP and places are funded by local authorities. Assessment includes reviewing documentation and seeing the pupil at their existing school and at TreeHouse.
Last checked: September 2026
SEN Schools in Greenwich
Wize Up Independent School
Wize Up Independent School is an independent special school in Eltham, with a second site, the Ruby Site, in Blackheath.
- Ages: 11–16
- EHCP required: Not clearly stated
- Section 41 approved: No
- Assessment before admission: Not clearly stated
The school works with young people with social, emotional and mental health needs. DfE data shows some pupils on roll without an EHCP, although the school does not publish an admissions rule either way.
Last checked: September 2026
SAFE School
SAFE School (Social Arts for Education) is an independent school in Eltham for secondary-age students with social, emotional and mental health needs.
- Ages: Secondary age (confirm upper age directly)
- EHCP required: Not clearly stated
- Section 41 approved: No
- Assessment before admission: Not clearly stated
Many of its students are highly anxious or school-phobic and have missed long periods of education. Classes are grouped by key stage rather than year group, and exams can be staggered so students sit them when they are ready. Despite the Bexley in its web address, the school is in Greenwich.
Last checked: September 2026
SEN Schools in Southwark
PhoenixPlace
PhoenixPlace is a specialist setting for girls who have struggled to continue in a conventional mainstream environment.
- Ages: 11–16
- EHCP required: Yes
- Section 41 approved: No
- Assessment before admission: Yes, as part of the referral
The school works with pupils who may have behavioural, learning and vulnerability-related needs. Pupils should have an EHCP or one close to being finalised. Full-time, part-time and dual placements may be considered.
Last checked: September 2026
Treasure House London
Treasure House London is a small therapeutic independent school on Old Kent Road for neurodivergent young people who have struggled in mainstream settings.
- Ages: 11–19 on the school’s website; 14–19 on the DfE register
- EHCP required: Not clearly stated
- Section 41 approved: No
- Assessment before admission: Not clearly stated
There is currently a discrepancy worth knowing about. Treasure House’s own website gives an age range of 11–19, while the Department for Education record, confirmed in July 2026, still records 14–19. We would therefore confirm the appropriate year group directly before pursuing a placement.
Last checked: September 2026
Cavendish School
Cavendish School in Bermondsey is an independent special school offering small classes and individual programmes.
- Ages: 11–16
- EHCP required: Not explicitly stated as an admissions rule, although current DfE data records its special pupils as having EHC plans
- Section 41 approved: No
- Assessment before admission: Not clearly stated
The school has a capacity of 42 pupils and emphasises individual academic and vocational programmes. It does not state an EHCP requirement, although DfE data records every pupil as having one.
Last checked: September 2026
SEN Schools in Lambeth
Octavia House Schools
Octavia House Schools provides full-time specialist education for pupils whose primary needs are social, emotional and mental health related.
- Ages: 5–17 across the registered London provision
- EHCP required: Yes
- Section 41 approved: No
- Assessment before admission: Yes, following local authority consultation
Octavia House makes an important distinction in its admissions guidance: it is an independent special school rather than an alternative provision or PRU. Referrals must come through the local authority and the pupil should have an EHC plan identifying SEMH as the relevant need.
The school is registered in Lambeth, on Kennington Road, and runs several sites across Lambeth and Southwark.
Last checked: September 2026
SEN Schools in Hackney
Side by Side School
Side by Side School is an independent specialist school within the Jewish community.
- Ages: 2–20 on the current DfE register
- EHCP required: Depends on placement route
- Section 41 approved: No
- Assessment before admission: Yes
The school’s own parent information explains that most applications for pupils aged 5–19 require an EHCP. The Headteacher and SENCO meet families to assess suitability before a place is agreed.
Last checked: September 2026
Leaways School
Leaways School is an independent specialist school in Hackney supporting pupils with profiles including SEMH needs, ADHD, autism and childhood trauma.
- Ages: 7–17
- EHCP required: Yes for the standard placement route
- Section 41 approved: Yes
- Assessment before admission: Yes
Referrals must come through the local authority and are linked to the EHCP process.
Last checked: September 2026
SEN Schools in Tower Hamlets
Brick Lane School
Brick Lane School provides specialist education for pupils who may have autism, ADHD, SEMH needs or specific learning differences.
- Ages: 5–18 on the current referrals page
- EHCP required: Depends on placement route
- Section 41 approved: Yes
- Assessment before admission: Yes
Pupils are generally referred by their local authority and will usually already have an EHCP or be undergoing assessment. The school’s admissions process includes suitability assessment and a six-week assessment period for new placements.
Last checked: September 2026
SEN Schools in Ealing
Blooming Tree Pre-Prep School
Blooming Tree Pre-Prep School is an independent special school in Acton.
- Ages: 3–11
- EHCP required: Not clearly stated
- Section 41 approved: No
- Assessment before admission: Not clearly stated
DfE pupil data indicates EHCP-based placements, but the school does not publish a clear admissions statement. It is worth distinguishing this school from the former Blooming Tree Primary School in Ealing. That separate establishment closed on 30 July 2025. Blooming Tree Pre-Prep remains open.
Last checked: September 2026
SEN Schools in Hounslow
Eagle Park School
Eagle Park School specialises in pupils whose primary area of need is autism. It can also support associated communication, attention, learning, sensory and social difficulties.
- Ages: 6–19
- EHCP required: Depends on placement route
- Section 41 approved: No
- Assessment before admission: Yes
The school requests an EHC plan as part of formal applications. The school reviews the pupil’s documents before inviting the child, parents and referring representative for an interview and school visit.
Last checked: September 2026
SEN Schools in Brent
Edith Kay Independent School
Edith Kay Independent School supports young people whose education has become difficult or fragmented, including pupils with SEMH needs, autism, anxiety, school avoidance and other learning needs.
- Ages: usually 14–19
- EHCP required: Yes
- Section 41 approved: No
- Assessment before admission: Yes, through the referral process
Referrals usually come through a local authority. A plan can still be in progress or under statutory assessment at the point of referral. The school reviews the young person’s education history, professional reports and EHC information before confirming it can meet their needs.
Last checked: September 2026
SEN Schools in Croydon
The Bridge SEN School
The Bridge SEN School is an independent school for young people aged 14–25 with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, learning disabilities and behaviours that challenge.
- Ages: 14–25
- EHCP required: Not clearly stated
- Section 41 approved: No
- Assessment before admission: Not clearly stated
Older directories list The Bridge in Bermondsey, but its current contact address is in Thornton Heath, in Croydon. The focus is preparation for adulthood and independence, which makes it more relevant to older teenagers than younger pupils. The school takes referrals directly and quotes fees on request.
Last checked: September 2026
State-Funded SEN Schools in London
Independent provision is only part of London’s specialist school landscape. State-funded special schools are important options too, and admission to them runs through the EHCP and local authority placement process in almost every case, rather than through an application to the school.
State-Funded SEN Schools in Wandsworth
Paddock School
Paddock School is a community special school supporting pupils with autism and severe learning difficulties.
- Ages: 4–19
- EHCP required: Yes
- Assessment before admission: Yes
All pupils normally have an EHCP. Wandsworth may occasionally use a temporary assessment placement for a child who does not yet have one.
Last checked: September 2026
State-Funded SEN Schools in Camden
Swiss Cottage School
Swiss Cottage School is a large community special school and research centre in Camden for pupils with a broad range of learning difficulties, including autism.
- Ages: 4–19
- EHCP required: Yes
- Assessment before admission: Not clearly stated
Placements are made through Camden’s specialist local authority processes. The Department for Education records it as an open community special school for pupils aged 4–19.
Last checked: September 2026
State-Funded SEN Schools in Lewisham
Drumbeat School and ASD Service
Drumbeat School and ASD Service specialises in education for autistic children and young people with significant learning needs.
- Ages: 4–19
- EHCP required: Yes
- Assessment before admission: Placement decision made through Lewisham’s SEN panel
All pupils at Drumbeat have an EHCP, and placement decisions are made by Lewisham’s SEN Placement Panel after considering the plan, professional reports and family views.
Last checked: September 2026
State-Funded SEN Schools in Southwark
Tuke School
Tuke School is a community special school for young people with severe and complex learning disabilities, including autism and sensory or physical needs.
- Ages: 11–19
- EHCP required: Yes
- Assessment before admission: Yes
Most pupils arrive with an EHCP. A small number can enter on an assessment placement agreed between the local authority, school and family.
Last checked: September 2026
Spa School Bermondsey
Spa School Bermondsey specialises in autism alongside moderate or severe learning disability.
- Ages: 11–19
- EHCP required: Yes
- Assessment before admission: Yes
For a standard placement, Spa Bermondsey must be named in the child’s EHCP. The school can also take assessment placements through a local authority.
Last checked: September 2026
State-Funded SEN Schools in Lambeth
Vanguard School
Vanguard School is a state-funded specialist school for autistic pupils.
- Ages: 11–19
- EHCP required: Yes
- Assessment before admission: Yes
A pupil must have an EHCP identifying autism and the school must be named by the local authority. Vanguard then carries out an admissions assessment before the placement is agreed.
Last checked: September 2026
Heron Academy
Heron Academy supports pupils with severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties. Pupils may also have autism, physical disabilities or sensory needs.
- Ages: 11–19
- EHCP required: Yes
- Assessment before admission: Yes, through the Lambeth SEND team’s placement process
Admissions are managed through the Lambeth SEND team. The school explicitly says it will be candid if it does not consider itself the right provision for an individual pupil.
Last checked: September 2026
State-Funded SEN Schools in Tower Hamlets
Phoenix School
Phoenix School is a community special school specialising in autism and communication needs.
- Ages: 3–19
- EHCP required: Yes
- Assessment before admission: Yes, through the local authority process
Pupils have an EHCP or join on an assessment placement. Phoenix operates across several sites and is one of London’s larger specialist autism schools. Current government records confirm its 3–19 age range.
Last checked: September 2026
What If None of These SEN Schools in London Feels Right?
This is more common than parents expect.
The difficulty is not always the list. Some children are simply not ready for another school placement yet.
A young person may have spent months out of education because of anxiety, school refusal, burnout, exclusion or a placement breakdown. Moving immediately into another full school timetable can solve the location problem without addressing the reason attendance became difficult in the first place.
In those cases, a smaller interim plan may be more useful.
Lionheart School provides full-time and part-time one-to-one education in West London. It supports students in transition, including young people who have struggled in conventional school settings or need a more individual programme while their next educational step is worked out.
For children who are learning outside school for a period, Lionheart also provides homeschooling support in London.
Talk to Lionheart about specialist education and school placement
Frequently Asked Questions About SEN Schools in London
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How do I find SEN schools near me?
Start with your child’s needs, then look at location. A search for SEN schools near me can help identify options, but age range, provision, EHCP requirements and admissions route matter more than distance alone.
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How do I find autism schools near me?
Look for schools that match your child’s full profile, not only those labelled for autism. Autism schools vary widely in curriculum, communication support, class size and therapeutic provision, and each tends to suit a defined pupil profile.
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What is the difference between SEN and SEND?
SEN stands for special educational needs. SEND adds disabilities, which covers children who have a disability that may not require special educational provision. In practice, schools and local authorities often use the two terms interchangeably.
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What are special needs schools?
Special needs schools provide specialist education for pupils who need more support than a mainstream school can ordinarily offer, including children with autism, learning difficulties, communication needs, SEMH needs or physical disabilities.
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What do specialist schools support?
Specialist schools usually focus on particular areas of need, such as autism, speech and language difficulties, SEMH or severe learning difficulties. The right setting depends on the child’s individual academic, communication and support needs.
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Do SEN schools support dyslexia and dyscalculia?
Some do. Fairley House, Burlington House and Emerson House focus on specific learning differences such as dyslexia and dyscalculia, while many autism and SEMH schools do not specialise in them. Check each school’s provision directly.
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Does an autism diagnosis mean my child needs a specialist school?
No. Many autistic pupils do well in mainstream education with appropriate support, while others benefit from a specialist setting depending on their communication, learning, sensory and emotional needs.
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Can I apply directly to an SEN school?
Sometimes. Many independent SEN schools in London accept direct enquiries, while state-funded specialist schools are usually accessed through the local authority and EHCP placement process. If you want an independent school named in an EHCP, check its Section 41 status first, as that affects what the local authority must do with your request.
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Can an SEN school assess my child before offering a place?
Yes. Many schools assess pupils before admission to make sure they can meet their needs, which may involve reviewing reports, observing the child or arranging trial days.
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Can an independent SEN school accept my child without an EHCP?
Some can. Independent schools set their own admissions criteria, so some accept pupils without an EHCP while others require one or rely on local authority referrals.
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What if my child is out of school during the search?
Education can continue through one-to-one tuition, homeschooling or a smaller interim setting while a permanent placement is found. Lionheart is also a registered JCQ and Cambridge Assessment International Education examination centre in London for eligible external candidates.
Choosing the Right SEN School in London
No guide can tell you which school is right for your child.
It can make the first stage considerably easier.
Start with the SEN schools in London that appear to match your child’s age and principal needs. Then look more closely at the curriculum, therapeutic provision, admissions criteria, funding route and the type of pupil the school says it is designed to support.
After that, visit.
Pay attention to the things that are difficult to put in a prospectus: how calm the school feels, how staff speak to pupils, the noise level between lessons, the size of classes and how children who are having a difficult day are supported.
The right school should not simply appear on a list of SEN schools. It should make sense for the child who is actually going to attend it.
If you need help making sense of SEN schools in London, our SEND consultants can review your child’s circumstances, help identify realistic placements and advise on what to do next.
Book a consultation with Lionheart
