Beyond Labels and Limits
Special Educational Needs and
Disabilities in the Independent Sector
At Chattan Harbour, we understand that choosing the right educational environment for a child with special educational needs is a crucial decision. The independent sector has seen a significant increase in SEND provision, with more families recognizing the benefits of personalised attention and specialised support available in independent schools.
Every child's potential has a path
In 2024:
- Over 1.6 million pupils in England identified as having special educational needs
- 576,000 children aged 0-25 had Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
- 71% increase in pupils with EHCPs between 2018 and 2024
However - simply opting for the independent sector does not automatically mean that the additional support will be available to you. It can be a maze to navigate maximising the funding that you may be entitled to and making sure that it is used in the very best way for your child - and you may be unsure of your child's entitlement level.
Why do parents opt for the independent sector for their child with SEND?
01
Smaller class sizes
A greater level of individual attention - class sizes are typically kept at 22 and below. However, this varies from school to school and many have a policy on size caps. This will also change between primary/prep and secondary/6th form.
02
Specialised staff
Many schools will claim expertise and specially trained staff but this goes much deeper. SEND departments can often see huge flux in Teaching Assistant turnover and you aren't automatically entitled to individual support in lessons.
03
Curriculum flexibility
The independent sector is typically split into "selective" and "recruiting" schools, which will change the extent to which they will flex the curriculum for your child. This is where Chattan Harbour can help.
"Selective" or "recruiting"?
Making an informed choice about your child's education starts with understanding how different independent schools approach admissions. Let us guide you through the key differences.
Selective schools: these schools maintain specific academic standards through rigorous entrance examinations. Your child will need to achieve a minimum attainment level to secure a place. Think of it as setting a clear academic benchmark that all students must meet.
Recruiting schools: These schools take a more holistic approach, typically using CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test) assessments. Their focus is on ensuring your child can access and engage with the curriculum, rather than meeting strict academic thresholds.
What are your child's needs?
You may be just starting out your journey with your child's needs and not really know where to start or what provision they need, through to having a full EHCP (Education and Health Care Plan) with maximum funding. Here's a brief, simplified explanation of generic entitlement but remember: this is where Chattan Harbour comes in, able to help you navigate this path and set your family on the correct course. It will also help you to maintain good relationships with your child's school which is exceptionally important.
01
Monitoring only
Your child's school may have indicated that they feel there is an additional need of some sort, but it is not yet clearly identified. Whilst terminology may vary, this is normally flagged as a "monitoring" phase and has no formal time limits. This is why the home/school partnership is so key.
02
Assessment - in school
Your child's class teacher will liaise with the school's SENDCO (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator) around "Assess, Plan, Do, Review" to begin to put strategies in place to help your child. Whilst there is a requirement for schools to do this - there is no additional funding at this stage and in the independent sector, it will depend on the resource available.
03
Provision Maps (or IEPs - Individual Education Plans)
The terminology changes all the time. Your child will have a "provision map" or "IEP" if they are going through what typically involves three rounds of "Assess, Plan, Do, Review". By the end of this, a clear need that may require an EHCP (Education and Health Care Plan) may have presented itself. Once an application has been made to the Local Authority, you must receive a response (but no guarantee of success!) within 20 weeks. EHCPs do not necessarily come with funding.
04
EHCP
An EHCP may come with funding and will outline how this funding is to be used. In some cases, this can be a few hundred pounds towards (as examples) dyslexia support, all the way through to full funding for school fees or towards the wage cost of a Teaching Assistant for your child. It is important to note that there is huge variability in reaching the stage where a school is "named" as the best place for your child. A school is also asked if it can "meet need" - and it may say that it cannot.
Your educational compass
Navigating the world of Special Educational Needs can feel like steering through unfamiliar waters. From understanding EHCP processes to exploring funding options, from decoding assessment reports to securing appropriate provisions – the journey can be overwhelming.
At Chattan Harbour, our team of former Heads brings something uniquely valuable to your search: we've not only led independent schools through successful ISI inspections, we've championed inclusive education from the inside. We understand the intricate maze of SEND provision, funding streams, and entitlements because we've helped countless families chart these waters before. Let us be your compass, translating complex educational jargon into clear choices, and transforming overwhelming options into actionable pathways.
With our verified expertise, you're not just getting advice – you're gaining an experienced navigator who's successfully steered this course before.