This section looks at the requirement for additional services to support the needs
of children in a specialist setting and describes the value they can add.
It also looks at how special schools can offer expertise and support in relation to
teaching children with learning difficulties to mainstream schools and the local community
through outreach activities.
One way of supporting mainstream schools to plan to meet the needs of pupils with learning difficulties is to provide an outreach service from the special school. Such services are designed to support the teachers' planning in mainstream schools so that children with SEN can be included in class alongside their peers.
Over the years there has been much debate about whether special schools are necessary or whether all children with SEN/disabilities should be included in mainstream settings.
Where do you stand on this issue?
Read this report from 2006
and the report of the Lamb Inquiry from 2009.
Have your views changed?
Have a look at this presentation summarising the Government Green Paper 'Support and aspiration: A new approach to special educational needs and disability'.
Examine the model of multi-disciplinary working described in the Green Paper and compare it to existing models.
Make a list of the pros and cons of the models and identify the implications of the Green Paper for whole school planning.
In this audio clip Harvey explains some things that can make it difficult to learn in his mainstream classes.
Identify the problems that Harvey faces in his current setting.
How would you take into account the views expressed by pupils whose experience of inclusion has not always been successful?
Watch this clip of a review meeting of Sophia, a girl on a split placement.
How do the schools plan to meet the needs of pupils on a dual placement?
What are the implications for planning in both their settings?
Runswick-Cole, K. (2011) Time to end the bias towards inclusive education? British Journal of Special Education, 38 (3), 112-119.
Special Educational Needs 3rd Report 2006
Support and aspiration: A new approach to special educational needs
and disability
TDA materials. Module 3: Whole School Development Enabling Effective Inclusion (2010)