The governments educational policy favours inclusion in mainstream schools including those children with some learning difficulties. There are those inevitably who require support that cannot be found in mainstream education and these are placed in Special Schools. The assessment for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) is through the Code of Practice (established by the Eductation Act 1996) and falls within 4 main categories A) Cognative and Learning Needs. B) Behaviour, Emotional and Social Development Needs. C) Communication and Interaction Needs. D) Sensory and/or Physical Needs.

1% (100,227) of the school population is currently placed in 1,308 Special Schools operated by Local Education Authorities (1,098 schools with 89,797 pupils), non-maintained establishments (63 schools with 4,670 pupils), and the independent sector (147 schools with 5,760 pupils). Of the total 11,356 children are accommodated in residential schools. Funding in all Special Schools is predominantly through the Local Education Authorities.

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