All Local Authorities

SEND Services in Isle of Wight

South EastUnitary Authority
Council website

As a smaller, rural island community with lower population density than the England average, SEND support in Isle of Wight offers tailored services shaped by its unique geography, helping families navigate challenges like transport and access with local understanding. The area sees higher than average numbers of children needing extra help compared to the South East and national figures, reflecting growing demand that's been rising steadily for years. You're not alone in this - Isle of Wight SENDIASS provides free, confidential advice to guide you every step, bringing reassurance amid the pressures many parents face.

In the Isle of Wight's close-knit island setting, where transport and access can add extra hurdles to getting the right SEND support, JakTrack empowers you to feel prepared and in control from day one. As you simply note daily moments like sleep or behaviour, your evidence builds steadily over time, revealing patterns that make appointments and EHCP steps feel supported rather than overwhelming. Starting early brings that growing sense of reassurance, turning uncertainty into quiet confidence for your family. see how JakTrack can help

Schools & SEND Provision

50

Schools

4

Specialist

8

SEN Units & Resource Bases

17,013

Total Pupils

16.8%receive SEN Support

2,854 pupils

6.8%have an EHCP

1,160 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 Isle of Wight's Local Offer

IASS

Free, impartial advice about SEND - EHCPs, school issues, exclusions, navigating the system.

Isle of Wight SENDIASS

Parent Carer Forum

Isle of Wight Parent Carer Forum

EHCP

EHCP request form

SEN Team

To submit an EHC needs assessment request, you won't need log in details, just click 'request needs assessment' on the login screen and follow the instructions to access the form.

SEND Team

Main council SEND department contact information not clearly specified in the provided data

Short Breaks

Portage

Isle of Wight Portage Service

Educational Psychology

Educational Psychology Service

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy services are available through the NHS and private providers on the Isle of Wight

Speech and Language Therapy

Children's Speech and Language Therapy

Social Care

Children with Disabilities Team

Other Services

Preparing for Adulthood

Supported Internships

Child Development Centre

Mental Health Support Team

Autism Assessment

Sensory Support Service

Direct Payments

Wheelchair Service

Challenging Behaviour Support

New EHCPs by Primary Need

Schools

years old

Medina House School

Special
Ages 4-11Capacity: 168PO30 2HS
VisualHearingSpeech & LanguageAutismSocial & EmotionalMulti-SensoryPhysicalSevere LearningProfound & Multiple

St Catherine's School and College

Special
Ages 7-19Capacity: 94PO38 1TT
Speech & Language

St George's School

Special
Ages 11-19Capacity: 228PO30 1XW
VisualHearingSpeech & LanguageAutismSocial & EmotionalMulti-SensoryPhysicalModerate LearningSevere LearningProfound & Multiple

Forest Edge School

Special
Ages 11-14Capacity: 8PO36 9AZ

Brading Church of England Controlled Primary School

Primary
Ages 2-11Capacity: 175PO36 0DS
Speech & LanguageAutism
Resource base: 8 places

Brighstone Church of England Aided Primary School

PrimaryGood
Ages 4-11Capacity: 105PO30 4BB
Speech & LanguageAutism

Carisbrooke College

SecondaryRequires Improvement
Ages 11-16Capacity: 600PO30 5QU
Autism

Greenmount Primary School

PrimaryRequires Improvement
Ages 2-11Capacity: 432PO33 3PT
Autism
Resource base: 6 places

Hunnyhill Ormiston Academy

PrimaryNot judged
Ages 3-11Capacity: 452PO30 5SH
Social & Emotional

Medina College

SecondaryRequires Improvement
Ages 11-19Capacity: 1650PO30 2DX
Social & Emotional

St Francis Catholic and Church of England Primary Academy

PrimaryGood
Ages 4-11Capacity: 210PO38 1BQ
Autism
Resource base: 8 places

The Bay Church of England School

All-throughGood
Ages 4-16Capacity: 1470PO36 9BA
Autism
Resource base: 15 places

Understanding 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 Isle of Wight.

You or your child's school can ask the local authority to make an EHC needs assessment. The request should be a shared decision between you, the child's parents/carers, and anyone else working with the child, and should follow a period of time where appropriate external agencies have been involved. You can submit your request using the online form available through the Isle of Wight Council's EHC Hub.
Isle of Wight SENDIASS is a free and confidential service that offers impartial information, advice and support on issues relating to your child or young person's special educational needs or disability. You can contact them on 0808 164 5492 or email [email protected] for help understanding the EHCP process, your rights, and support available.
The Isle of Wight has 4 specialist schools and 8 schools with resource bases that provide additional support for children with SEND.[School data] These settings offer tailored provision alongside mainstream schools to meet the needs of children with a range of additional requirements.
The Local Offer is a guide to the special educational needs and disability support available in your area, including education, health, and social care services. You can find Isle of Wight's Local Offer at https://www.iwight.com/localoffer, which provides information about services, schools, and support available to families.
The EHC assessment process has statutory timescales that the local authority must follow. However, if you have concerns about delays in your child's assessment or EHC Plan review, you can contact Isle of Wight SENDIASS for advice on your rights and next steps.

Navigating SEND in Isle of Wight?

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