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Types of schools

Education options for school aged children

About

Your child must be receiving a full-time education the term after turning 5 years old.

Most children and young people with SEND can be supported to achieve their potential in mainstream schools. We expect all our schools to be inclusive and supportive places where all children and young people can learn, build relationships, fulfil their potential and be part of their community.

There are more than 350 schools in Somerset. Choosing a school can be a really big decision, especially if a child or young person has SEND . Below you can find out more about the different types of school or educational settings.

Somerset Choice Advice Service is for all parents and carers, and not just those of children with special educational needs. Choice Advice offers impartial information and support on schools’ admissions and the transition process.

Mainstream

What is offered in mainstream

All mainstream schools must publish a SEND Information Report on their website. This explains how they support children with special educational needs and disabilities. You can find a link to this using the find a school search below.

You can view the graduated response of provision that the local authority expects to be available for Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities within Somerset schools.

Some services also support mainstream schools, including:

Evidence shows that a mixture of mainstream and SEND pupils in a school has benefits for both pupils with SEND and pupils without.  It teaches all pupils to be mindful of the needs and requirements of those around them. Children can build friendships with others from different backgrounds and with different needs. Going to a school close to home can also help children stay part of their community.

Find your local school

How to access mainstream

All schools have admission criteria. These decide which children get places. The school or local council usually set these. Admission criteria are different for each school. Find out more in the Primary Admissions Guide or the Secondary Admissions Guide.

If your child has an Education, Health and Care plan (EHC plan), placement decisions are made with the school during the EHC plan and Annual Review process.

Enhanced Learning Provision

What is offered in an Enhanced Learning Provision

An Enhanced Learning Provision is based in mainstream secondary schools. They support pupils with SEND, mainly for cognition and learning needs.

An ELP uses a primary qualified teacher with extra training. They adapt lessons to help pupils access learning and make progress. Pupils also join mainstream classes where possible. More details are in each school’s SEN Information Report.

Find your local school with an ELP

How to access an Enhanced Learning Provision

Children in an Enhanced Learning Provision may have an EHC plan. If your child has an Education, Health and Care plan (EHC plan), placement decisions are made with the school during the EHC plan and Annual Review process.

Children without an EHC plan can still be supported through an ELP. The decision will be made by the school if they see this as an appropriate route, following discussion with parent. All schools have admission criteria to decide which children get places. The school or local council usually set these. Admission criteria are different for each school.  Find out more in the Primary Admissions Guide or the Secondary Admissions Guide.

Resource Base

What is offered in a Resource Base

Resource bases are part of mainstream schools. They offer a mix of mainstream lessons and specialist support. Pupils may learn in smaller groups, work with specialist staff and use a dedicated space.

Pupils will access the regular curriculum. They may access the mainstream classroom for at least some schoolwork or extra activities.

You can have a virtual tour around Oaklands and Preston to see examples. More details are in each school’s SEN Information Report.

Find your local school with a Resource Base

How to access a Resource Base

Resource bases are not suitable for pupils whose main need is social, emotional and mental health (SEMH). Some pupils whose main need is autistic spectrum condition (ASC) may have some SEMH needs. They may still be able to access a resource base. This is because the specialist support in a resource base can help reduce these needs over time.

Children have a diagnosis of autism, or significant social communication and interaction needs, and an EHC plan. Their placement decisions are made with the school during the EHC plan and Annual Review process.

SEN Unit

What is offered in SEN Units

SEN Units are part of mainstream schools. Pupils are taught in small groups by specialist staff.  There is a dedicated space for learning and support. More details are in each school’s SEN Information Report.

Find your local school with a SEN Unit

How to access a SEN Unit

Children in a SEN Unit will have an EHC plan. Their placement decisions are made with the school during the EHC plan and Annual Review process.

Pupil Referral Unit

What is offered in a Pupil Referral Unit

Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) support children who cannot attend mainstream school. This may be due to:

  • health needs
  • social, emotional or mental health needs
  • exclusion or risk of exclusion

PRUs  can also support pupils for a short time while they remain on a school roll. Often the children and young people are displaying challenging behaviour in school. Or need extra support that a mainstream school is unable to provide. Find out more about supporting children and young people who cannot go to school

Find your local PRU

How to access a Pupil Referral Unit

Referrals must come from a school or local authority professional. Decisions are made by a panel as part of Locality Triage. Parents and young people are part of the process.

Alternative Provision

What is offered in alternative provision

Alternative provision (AP) gives support outside a school setting. It is for pupils with complex needs who find it hard to attend school. It may include:

  • tutoring
  • therapy
  • specialist support

It helps pupils stay in education and may support a return to school (mainstream, specialist provider or post-16 provision).

Somerset Council has an Alternative Provision Framework. This helps make sure children and young people can access good quality education outside of school. It includes a range of approved providers. They offer support and learning that is tailored to meet different needs.

Schools must continue to make sure provision is safe and suitable. They should be clear about what the provision needs to achieve.

Find local alternative provision

How to access alternative provision

The child stays on roll at their school. Alternative provision will not be full time. Access is agreed between the school, parents and professionals.

Special School

What is offered in special schools

Special schools support pupils with more complex needs and an EHC plan. They provide:

  • a tailored curriculum
  • specialist staff
  • adapted facilities, such as sensory rooms

Children whose main need is SEMH needs, specific learning difficulties, hearing impairment or visual impairment can often be supported in a mainstream school. However, some children need more specialist support. In these cases, they may go to a special school that meets their specific needs. Most other types of need can be supported in Somerset’s generic special schools.

You can take a virtual tour of Polden Bower, Selworthy Oakhill and Hazelbrook to see examples. More details are in each school’s SEN Information Report.

How to access special schools

Placement is agreed through the EHC plan process when needs cannot be met in mainstream school.

Independent, Non-Maintained Special School and Section 41 School

What is offered in independent and non-maintained special schools

Independent and non-maintained special (INMS) schools are not run by the local authority. Most charge fees to attend. Some are approved by the government (known as Section 41 schools). These schools often support children with complex or multiple needs. They usually offer:

  • specialist staff
  • small classes
  • tailored support
  • specialist facilities

These schools are often further away from home. This means children may:

  • spend longer travelling
  • have less time with family and friends
  • feel less connected to their local community

Children may mainly learn with other pupils who have similar needs. This can feel supportive, but it may also mean:

  • fewer chances to mix with a wide range of children
  • fewer opportunities to build friendships in their local area

Find a special school or independent special school

How to access INMS

We aim to meet needs as close to home as possible wherever we can. This helps most children and young people stay with their friends and family.

A placement in an independent or non-maintained school will only be agreed in exceptional cases, when:

  • local schools cannot meet the child’s needs
  • the school can meet those needs
  • the school agrees to offer a place
  • it is a good use of public money

Children in a independent or non-maintained school will have an EHC plan. Their placement decisions are made with the school during the EHC plan and Annual Review process. The Local Authority cannot order an independent school to accept a child or young person.

Elective Home Education

What is offered through Elective Home Education

You can choose to educate your child at home instead of sending them to school. The education you provide must be suitable for your child. It should:

  • match their age and ability
  • meet their individual needs
  • support any special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) they have

You do not need to follow the National Curriculum, but the education must still be effective and appropriate. As a parent carer, you are responsible for planning, delivering and paying for your child’s education.

Somerset Council has a duty to check that children are receiving a suitable education. We may ask for information or evidence of what your child is learning. If there is not enough evidence that your child is receiving an efficient and suitable education, we must take steps to find a solution. Find out more about Elective Home Education.

How to provide Elective Home Education

You must tell the school in writing if you choose home education.

If your child attends a special school named in an EHC plan, you must get council agreement before removing them.

If the school is not informed, absences may lead to legal action.

Last updated: June 24, 2026

Next review due: December 24, 2026

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