Special needs pupils can still attend school during the new lockdown in England.
Most pupils will learn online following the announcement that the country must lockdown again.
Claire Dorer says the guidance on special schools remaining open applies the same in the independent sector
But, as previously, vulnerable or special needs pupils with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) can still attend school.
Special needs pupils in mainstream can attend
It means that special needs pupils in mainstream schools can continue attending, along with the children of key workers.
And special schools will remain open during the lockdown.
Claire Dorer is chief executive of the National Association of Independent Schools & Non-Maintained Special Schools (NASS).
She said the guidance on special schools remaining open also applies to the independent sector.
“The position is the same as for any other special school,” she said.
Children undergoing EHCP process can also attend
The UK government’s definition of “vulnerable” also allows children who are part of the way through the EHCP process to attend.
The definition allows councils and other providers to keep schools open to those who need to “manage risks to their mental health”.
Some parents will feel relief that their children will still benefit from the structure brought by schools. However, others are critical of the decision.
Special needs colleges dealing with ‘fallout’
Clare Howard is chief executive of the Association of National Specialist Colleges (Natspec).
On Twitter, she wrote that the decision to define all pupils with an EHCP as “vulnerable” has left special needs colleges dealing with the “fallout”.
She added: “Attendance of 100 per cent of these students is neither logical or ethical when individual circumstances and complex needs are taken into account.”
Scotland and Northern Ireland are both under lockdowns, while tier four restrictions apply in Wales.
Special needs children can attend in Northern Ireland and Scotland and schools were to begin reopening in Wales this week.
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- Disability rights due to be restored
- Online technology: how Beechwood College is using apps and social media to continue to support its students in lockdown
- Eating disorders rise during lockdown
Published: 7 January 2021
