SEND Services in Essex
Essex, a large county blending urban and rural communities across the East of England, is actively strengthening SEND support through significant investments in specialist school places, workforce development, and inclusive mainstream provision to meet rising demand. While facing national pressures like growing numbers of complex needs - similar to many areas - local leaders highlight progress since the 2019 Ofsted inspection, including faster Education, Health and Care Plan processes and new pathways for earlier help. You're not alone in this; the SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) is here to guide you every step, offering impartial advice tailored to your family's situation in Essex.
With Essex's faster EHCP processes giving you a vital head start, JakTrack empowers families to feel prepared and in control by quietly building a rich evidence base from your everyday logs of sleep, meals, and behaviour. Starting early means those AI-powered insights reveal patterns over time, so you walk into appointments supported and confident, knowing your story is clearly told. You're taking meaningful steps forward, and we're right here with you. see how JakTrack can help
Schools & SEND Provision
603
Schools
42
Specialist
44
SEN Units & Resource Bases
234,710
Total Pupils
31,474 pupils
10,612 pupils
Services & Contacts
Local Offer
Every Local Authority must publish a "Local Offer" - a directory of all SEND services and provision in their area.
View Essex's Local OfferIASS
Free, impartial advice about SEND - EHCPs, school issues, exclusions, navigating the system.
SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)
SEND Team
ECC SEND Services
Educational Psychology
Essex Educational Psychology (EP) Service
Occupational Therapy
EPUT Children's Integrated Therapies (OT)
Speech and Language Therapy
EPUT Children's Integrated Therapies (SALT)
Other Services
SPACE (Parent SEND Support)
360 Play SEND Events
1st Staff Education Services
1st Education
1up Collective
Abberton Rural Training
Ability Works - Drop-in Employment Support Sessions
Abode Education
PACT for Autism
Journey to Autism Diagnostic Service (JADES) - West Essex
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
Autism Anglia
Educational Psychology (EP) Parent Helpline
Mediation and Tribunals
Home to School Transport
Travel Training
Personal Budgets
Direct Payments
New EHCPs by Primary Need
Schools
Castledon School
SpecialNot judgedChatten Free School
SpecialOutstandingDoucecroft School
SpecialEndeavour Co-Operative Academy
SpecialGoodHarlow Fields School and College
SpecialNot judgedLexden Springs School
SpecialInadequateLift Pioneer
SpecialOak View School
SpecialGoodShorefields School
SpecialSt John's RC School (Essex)
SpecialTeaseldown School
SpecialThe Belsteads School
SpecialThe Edith Borthwick School
SpecialGoodThe Yellow House School
SpecialWoodcroft School
SpecialAthena School
SpecialCambian Great Dunmow School
SpecialClarity Independent School
SpecialCommunity College Initiative Ltd
SpecialCompass Community School Essex
SpecialFast Progress Tuition Limited
SpecialHigh Trees
SpecialLuxborough Court School
SpecialMinerva Independent School
SpecialOctavia House Schools, Essex
SpecialOmnia Foundation
SpecialThe Greenwell Academy
SpecialThe Tower School
SpecialWoodend Farm School
SpecialForest Hall School
SecondaryGoodGhyllgrove Primary School
PrimaryNot judgedHarlowbury Primary School
PrimaryGoodPotter Street Academy
PrimaryThe Bromfords School
SecondaryNot judgedAcorn Academy
PrimaryNot judgedBentfield Primary School and Nursery
PrimaryCherry Tree Academy
PrimaryGoodCooks Spinney Primary Academy and Nursery
PrimaryNot judgedGlebe Primary School
PrimaryNot judgedGreat Baddow High School
SecondaryKelvedon St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy
PrimaryGoodLexden Primary School with Unit for Hearing Impaired Pupils
PrimaryMayflower High School
SecondaryRequires ImprovementMerrylands Primary School
PrimaryNot judgedMildmay Primary School
PrimaryNot judgedNotley High School and Braintree Sixth Form
SecondaryRequires ImprovementPhilip Morant School and College
SecondaryGoodTany's Dell Primary School and Nursery
PrimaryGoodThe Sweyne Park School
SecondaryNot judgedTrinity Road Primary School
PrimaryWaltham Holy Cross Primary Academy
PrimaryGoodWest Horndon Primary School
PrimaryGoodWitham Oaks Academy
PrimaryGoodUnderstanding school SEND provision
Schools in England provide SEND support at different levels. Here's what each type means:
Specialist School
A school that exclusively educates children with SEND. Smaller classes (typically 6-12 pupils), staff trained in specific needs, and environments designed for children who need more support than mainstream can provide. Places are usually named in an EHCP.
SEN Unit
A dedicated unit within a mainstream school, staffed by specialists. Children are on the roll of the unit but may join mainstream classes for some lessons. Offers a middle ground - specialist support with mainstream social opportunities. Usually requires an EHCP.
Resource Base
Extra resourced provision attached to a mainstream school. Children are on the mainstream roll but can access additional support, equipment, and specialist staff. Some resource bases focus on specific needs like autism or speech and language.
SEN Support (Mainstream)
Every mainstream school has a legal duty to identify and support children with SEND. This includes having a SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator), providing reasonable adjustments, and putting in place SEN Support plans. You don't need an EHCP for SEN Support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from families about SEND support in Essex.
Navigating SEND in Essex?
JakTrack helps you track evidence, prepare for EHCP reviews, check benefit eligibility, and stay on top of appointments - all in one place.
See How JakTrack Helps
Social Care
Ask for the Children's Line