Choosing a school / setting

Specialist education settings are only available for children and young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Only a small number of children and young people need a specialist education setting.

These children and young people will have complex needs that significantly impact their learning.

You can name a specialist education as your preferred placement, however, the decision of what education setting is named in an EHCP is made by the Council.

Find out more about the decision on a school / setting, and how you will be involved.

Types of specialist education settings

There are different types of specialist education settings, including:

• Maintained specialist schools
  These are schools that are overseen or 'maintained' by the Council.
• 'Section 41' schools
  These are independent specialist schools that have been approved by the Secretary of State under Section 41 of the Children & Families Act 2014.
• Pupil Referral Units (PRU)
  Pupil Referral Units (PRU) provide education support to children and young people who are at risk of exclusion, or who are permanently excluded from school, and who have medical needs which mean they must stay at home. 

See a list of schools in South Tyneside.