SEND Services in Gateshead
Gateshead, a metropolitan borough in the North East, is committed to making SEND support accessible for every child and family through its SEND Strategy 2023-2026, which emphasises that supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities is everyone's business. As a compact urban area, it fosters close-knit services tailored to local needs, with Gateshead SENDIASS (Barnardo’s) offering impartial guidance to help you navigate the system at your own pace. Parents new to this can feel reassured knowing the council is actively shaping an inclusive future amid national trends in SEND provision.
With Gateshead SENDIASS offering that vital impartial guidance to navigate the system at your own pace, JakTrack steps in as your everyday companion app, helping you feel prepared, supported, and truly in control as evidence from sleep, meals, and behaviour builds seamlessly in the background. Starting early means those patterns emerge over time, ready to empower your voice in EHCP processes or appointments, so you walk into every conversation knowing you're backed by your own story. Families here tell us it brings a quiet confidence amid the journey. see how JakTrack can help
Schools & SEND Provision
91
Schools
7
Specialist
8
SEN Units & Resource Bases
30,378
Total Pupils
4,411 pupils
1,585 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 Gateshead's Local OfferIASS
Free, impartial advice about SEND - EHCPs, school issues, exclusions, navigating the system.
Gateshead SENDIASS (Barnardo’s)
SEND Team
Gateshead Council SEND Team
Occupational Therapy
Gateshead Children's Occupational Therapy (NHS)
Speech and Language Therapy
Gateshead Community Speech & Language Therapy Team (NHS)
New EHCPs by Primary Need
Schools
Gibside School
SpecialHaskel School
SpecialHill Top School
SpecialBede Community Primary School
PrimaryRowlands Gill Community Primary School
PrimaryGoodThorp Academy
SecondaryUnderstanding 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 Gateshead.
Navigating SEND in Gateshead?
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