Special education provision in schools

The Council try to make sure that, if possible, every child can attend a local school of their choice

Most children with a Special Educational Need (SEN) have their needs met by their school. Sometimes schools ask for more help for these children.

Schools must identify pupils who have SEN and need extra help. They provide this through SEN support. Most children who have extra help are supported under SEN Support. Identifying a need early and then making effective provision improves long term outcomes.

Children with Education, Health and Care plans (EHCP) have a greater need of assistance. They are still usually supported within their school. EHCP assessments are done by the SEN Assessment & Review Service.

The Council help children and teenagers with learning disabilities. They can get one-on-one or small group help from experienced staff. Special teaching services, educational psychologists and other professionals work together with parents and carers. Together they ensure the children get individually designed programmes to support their needs.

In Harrow, children with special educational needs can attend:

• Additionally Resourced Mainstream Schools (ARMS)
• Mainstream schools
• Special schools

Additionally Resourced Mainstream Schools

In order to extend the range of possible places available for children with special educational needs and disabilities, we have developed a range of additionally resourced mainstream provision at schools across Harrow.  These provisions, known as ARMS provisions, offer specialist support for pupils within mainstream settings. There are 16 Additionally Resourced Mainstream Schools in Harrow.  

Hearing impairment 

Hearing impaired provision is offered at:

• Cedars Manor Primary School
• Hatch End High School

Physical Disabilities 

There are pre-school settings and schools in each area with good accessibility and all special schools are fully accessible.

Children who have complex Physical Needs may be offered provision at:

• Elmgrove Nursery and Primary School
• Whitmore High School

Learning Difficulties 

Children with moderate learning difficulties and additional needs may be offered provision at:

• Earlsmead Primary
• Grange Primary
• Stanburn Primary
• Pinner Wood Primary
• Bentley Wood High School

Autism Spectrum Conditions 

Specialist autism provision is available at: 

• Aylward Primary
• Priestmead Primary
• West Lodge Primary
• Whitmore High School
• Pinner High School

Admissions guidance

Find out more about the admissions guidance for special resourced provision in the following mainstream schools:

• Aylward Primary School
• Cedars Manor Primary School admissions guidance
• Earlsmead Primary School
• Elmgrove Primary School
• Grange Primary School admissions guidance
• Priestmead Primary School
• The Welldon Park Academy (Nursery and primary)
• West Lodge Primary School
• Bentley Wood High School admissions Guidance
• Whitmore High School - physical disability provision
• Whitmore High School - Autistic spectrum disorder provision

These schools are all developing their own offer of support to children and young people with SEND, which can be found on their school websites.

Specialist support in mainstream schools 

There are services that are provided to all Harrow schools to support their pupils with SEND.  These services include: 

• Harrow Children’s Sensory Team 
• Autism Specialist Teachers
• Harrow Educational Psychology Service 

Harrow special schools

There are currently four special schools in Harrow. Each one offers special teaching arrangements for a certain range and combination of needs:

• Alexandra School
• Kingsley High School
• Shaftesbury High School
• Woodlands School