As well as mainstream schools we have special schools located across the county that cater for different needs. To attend a special school a child needs to have an education, health and care (EHC) plan.

Find out more about Devon’s maintained and academy special schools.

If you would like your child to attend a special school, please discuss your options with the SEN 0-25 Team. Special school places are normally reserved for children and young people with the following types of need, usually defined by education psychologists or professionals working with your child.

Complex, mild and severe needs

Children have complex needs when an assessment states they have needs that fall into more than one of the four areas of need:

• Cognition and learning.
• Social, emotional and mental health.
• Communication and interaction.
• Physical/sensory impairments.

A child may also be described as having mild or severe learning difficulties depending on the degree of their needs and the impact these needs have on their lives.

Moderate, severe, profound and multiple needs

• Pupils with moderate learning difficulties may need extra support in some areas of the curriculum.
• Those with severe learning difficulties are likely to need support in all areas of the curriculum and have associated difficulties with mobility and communication.
• Pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties are likely to have severe and complex learning difficulties as well as a physical disability or sensory impairment.