5% of all profits go to causes close to our hearts.

SEND Articles & Guides

Expert guidance on choosing schools for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Why this matters

Navigating the school system with a child who has additional needs can feel overwhelming. We're building a library of evidence-based guides covering everything from reading a SEND Information Report to understanding the EHCP process, comparing mainstream vs specialist provision, and knowing your rights as a parent. Every article will be grounded in the same rigorous approach we use for our school reviews.

Available now

SEND10–12 min

Choosing a School for Your SEND Child: A Clinically Informed Guide

A clinically informed guide to evaluating schools when your child has additional needs - alignment, evidence and how SEND provision truly functions day to day.

SEND8–10 min

Understanding the EHCP Process: A Ground-Truth Explanation

How Education, Health and Care Plans work in practice - legal frameworks, vague language, school choice and what enforceability really means.

SEND8–10 min

Mainstream vs Specialist Provision: A Decision About Environment, Not Aspiration

When mainstream works, when specialist provision is protective, and how to assess fit rather than ideology.

SEND6–8 min

Reading SEND Information Reports: A Professional Interpretation

What matters more than what is written - how to interpret SEND Information Reports beyond compliance language.

SEND6–8 min

SEND and Ofsted: Interpreting Inspection Evidence Correctly

Ofsted assesses SEND indirectly - how to decode inspection language and extract SEND-relevant signals.

SEND8–10 min

Visiting Schools with SEND in Mind: What Experienced Observers Look For

Key observational signals and questions that reveal how schools function day to day for children with additional needs.

SEND7–9 min

SEND Admissions: Navigating Capacity, Catchments and Reality

How SEND admissions work in practice - EHCP naming, capacity constraints and resourced provision oversubscription.

SEND7–9 min

Local Authority SEND Variation: Why Geography Matters So Much

SEND outcomes vary significantly between local authorities - funding models, commissioning strategy and inclusion philosophy.

SEND8–10 min

Comparing SEND Provision Between Schools: A Structured Framework

A structured framework for comparing SEND provision - staffing continuity, behaviour culture, leadership authority and more.

SEND7–9 min

When a Placement Is Failing: Recognising and Responding Early

Early warning signs that a placement isn't working and how to respond effectively - documentation, reviews and reassessment.

SEND3–4 min

SEND Funding in Secondary Schools Explained

How SEND funding works in mainstream secondary schools and what it means for provision quality.

SEND3–4 min

Supporting High-Achieving SEND Pupils

How secondary schools support academically strong pupils with SEND profiles.

SEND3–4 min

Peer Culture and SEND Inclusion in Secondary Schools

How peer dynamics affect SEND pupils in mainstream secondary environments.

SEND3–4 min

SEND and School Attendance Explained

Understanding attendance pressures for SEND pupils in secondary schools.

SEND3–4 min

Preparing for Secondary SEND Meetings

How to prepare for meetings with secondary schools regarding SEND provision.

SEND3–4 min

SEND and Setting in Secondary Schools

How ability grouping and streaming affect pupils with SEND in secondary education.

SEND3–4 min

Emotional Regulation Support in Secondary Schools

Evaluating how secondary schools support emotional regulation for SEND pupils.

SEND3–4 min

Curriculum Adaptation for SEND in Secondary Schools

How secondary schools adapt curriculum content and assessment for SEND pupils.

SEND3–4 min

SEND and GCSE Options Explained

How GCSE pathway decisions affect pupils with SEND in secondary schools.

SEND3–4 min

SEND and Secondary School Transport

Evaluating transport and travel considerations for SEND pupils in secondary school.

SEND3–4 min

SEND Staff Training in Secondary Schools

How whole-school staff training affects SEND provision quality.

SEND3–4 min

Long-Term Outcomes for SEND Pupils

Evaluating how secondary schools support long-term progression for pupils with SEND.

Ready to shortlist schools?

Get detailed reports on up to 5 schools plus your local authority overview.

Start your shortlist