Admissions to Primary school September 2025

We recognise that some children need special educational help that cannot be provided in primary and secondary schools. For this reason we currently maintain six special schools and other schools are designated as additionally resourced mainstream schools (ARMS). You can find details of the facilities at these schools from the school's website, by calling the:

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Service

Telephone number 0191 433 3626 or in Special Educational Needs 

All enquiries are dealt with in complete privacy and confidence. 

The Children and Families Act came into force in September 2014. Schools must meet a child's special educational needs from their own resources and if they are not able to do that, they can apply to the Local Authority (LA) for an EHCP. 

Details of the assessment process and school's information can be found in Special Educational Needs

A graduated approach 

Children can have different kinds or levels of SEN and learn in different ways so a step-by-step or graduated approach is taken by the school to help with your child's difficulties. Your child may need help for a short time or for the whole time they are at school depending on their difficulties. The school must tell you that they are giving your child extra help because of their difficulties and keep you informed of their progress. 

Step 1 - Your child will be given extra help by staff at school; for example, they may work in a small group or be given work that is different from the other children in their class. 

Step 2 - If your child does not make progress with this additional support, the school will seek advice from outside professionals, for example, a specialist teacher or educational psychologist. 

Step 3 - If your child is still not making enough progress and the school cannot provide the help that they need, the LA may decide to carry out a formal needs assessment. 

Initial assessment 

When a request for Needs Assessment has been received a letter will be sent to you and other relevant parties letting them know that an assessment may take place. 

A decision about whether to assess your child's needs will be made within 6 weeks. 

Assessment 

If the assessment is agreed, the SEND team will request information and reports from you, your child's school, any outside professional who has been involved with your child, the health authority and social services. A request will also be sent to your child's school at this stage to ask them to organise an Action Planning Meeting to take place later in the process. 

The information collected will then be considered by the SEND panel to decide whether it will go ahead and issue an EHCP. If the EHCP is agreed it will include a summary of your child's special educational needs and the support we think is required to meet these needs. 

You will receive a copy of this draft EHCP, as will those people who provided reports. If you have any immediate concerns about the content of this draft you can contact the SEN team to discuss further. If the EHCP is refused, you can appeal to an independent SEN and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST). 

Planning 

If the EHCP goes ahead you will be given the opportunity to discuss the outline EHCP at your child's Action Planning Meeting, as well as contribute to the writing of your child's outcomes. At this stage you will also be able to discuss which school you would like your child to attend. This could be your child's current school, an additionally resourced mainstream school or in exceptional circumstances, a special school. 

The notes from the Action Planning Meeting will be sent to the SEN team who will update the EHCP and consult (ask for a placement) with the appropriate educational setting. You will be contacted with the results of the discussions and given the opportunity to meet with an SEN Officer if you disagree with the EHCP before it is finalised. 

We try to work with parents to come to an agreement about the EHCP but there are times when parents do not agree with our decision not to assess the child or with the contents of an EHCP. If this happens, you have the right to appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal. 

Finding a school for your child 

Sometimes we cannot offer your child a place at a suitable school in Gateshead. When this happens, we do all we can to find a suitable place in a school maintained by another authority or an independent organisation. We will make arrangements for you and your child to visit the school before you make a final decision. 

Special Educational Needs Disability Information and Advice Support Service (SENDIASS) 

SENDIASS is run by Barnardo's on behalf of Gateshead Council. It offers free independent support and information for parents/carers of children with special educational needs.

You can contact SENDIASS on 0191 478 4667

Absence from school for medical reasons 

If your child is ill or has had an accident, they may be at home or in hospital for some time. There is a teaching unit at the RVI Hospital, which aims to provide some continuity of education during a hospital stay. If your child is at home, home tuition may be suitable.