All Local Authorities

SEND Services in Leicester

East MidlandsUnitary Authority
Council website

In the bustling urban heart of the East Midlands, SEND support in Leicester brings together dedicated services across a diverse city of around 580,000 people, partnering closely with neighbouring Leicestershire and Rutland through a shared Joint SEND Commissioning Strategy launched in 2021 to improve outcomes for children and young people. While nearby Leicestershire faced challenges following its 2020 Ofsted and CQC inspection, including a need for stronger joint planning that prompted an Accelerated Progress Plan in 2022, Leicester's unitary authority focuses on tailored local provision amid national rises in EHCP demand. You're not alone - reach out to SENDIASS Leicester for impartial guidance, and take comfort in the ongoing efforts to make support accessible and effective for your family.

Amid Leicester's tailored local provision and rising EHCP demand, JakTrack empowers you to feel prepared and in control by quietly building a clear picture of your child's daily patterns over time - starting early means those insights grow stronger with every entry. It's like having a supportive companion that leaves you walking into appointments feeling heard and equipped, turning the navigation of referrals and plans into something manageable for your family. see how JakTrack can help

Schools & SEND Provision

135

Schools

13

Specialist

25

SEN Units & Resource Bases

63,160

Total Pupils

12.3%receive SEN Support

7,756 pupils

4.6%have an EHCP

2,877 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 Leicester's Local Offer

IASS

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

SENDIASS Leicester

Parent Carer Forum

Leicester Parents Carers Forum

Short Breaks

Short breaks information

Disabled Children's Service

Occupational Therapy

NHS Leicester - Occupational Therapy Service

Speech and Language Therapy

Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service (SALT)

Social Care

Disabled Children's Service

Other Services

Home to School Transport

Preparing for Adulthood

CAMHS

Direct Payments

Disabled Children's Register

Sensory Support Service

Behavioural Inclusion Training

New EHCPs by Primary Need

Schools

years old

Ash Field Academy

Special
Ages 4-19Capacity: 160LE5 4PY
Speech & LanguagePhysical

Ellesmere College

Special
Ages 4-19Capacity: 426LE3 2FD
Specific LearningVisualHearingSpeech & LanguageAutismSocial & EmotionalMulti-SensoryModerate LearningSevere Learning

Keyham Lodge School

Special
Ages 9-16Capacity: 130LE5 1FG
Social & Emotional

Millgate School

SpecialOutstanding
Ages 7-16Capacity: 125LE2 6DW
Social & Emotional

Netherhall Mead Academy

Special
Ages 4-19Capacity: 133LE5 1RT
Severe LearningProfound & Multiple

Oaklands School

Special
Ages 4-11Capacity: 138LE5 6GJ
Speech & LanguageAutismModerate LearningSevere Learning

West Gate School

SpecialGood
Ages 4-19Capacity: 200LE3 6DG
Speech & LanguageAutismSocial & EmotionalPhysicalModerate LearningSevere LearningProfound & Multiple

Educ8 Leicestershire

Special
Ages 13-16Capacity: 16LE3 6LP

Indie Education

Special
Ages 14-19Capacity: 40LE1 3DL

Miller House School

Special
Ages 11-16Capacity: 80LE2 2BN

Spark Vale Academy

Special
Ages 11-18Capacity: 45LE4 5EE

The Children's Hospital School

Special
Ages 2-19LE1 5WW

The Goldhill Learning Foundation

Special
Ages 7-14Capacity: 33LE2 6TL

Babington Academy

SecondaryGood
Ages 11-16Capacity: 1380LE4 0SZ
Speech & Language
SEN unit: 30 places

Barley Croft Primary School

Primary
Ages 3-11Capacity: 330LE4 0UT
Speech & Language
SEN unit: 15 places

Braunstone Frith Primary Academy

PrimaryGood
Ages 3-11Capacity: 472LE3 6NF
Autism
SEN unit: 12 places

Catherine Infant School

PrimaryOutstanding
Ages 3-7Capacity: 420LE4 6BY
Autism
SEN unit: 10 places

Fullhurst Community College

SecondaryGood
Ages 11-16Capacity: 1500LE3 1AH
Speech & Language
SEN unit: 40 places

Imperial Avenue Infant School

Primary
Ages 3-7Capacity: 324LE3 1AH
Autism
SEN unit: 10 places

Inglehurst Junior School

PrimaryGood
Ages 7-11Capacity: 300LE3 9FS
Autism
SEN unit: 18 places

Kestrel Mead Primary Academy

Primary
Ages 3-11Capacity: 866LE5 1TG
Autism
SEN unit: 8 places

King Richard III Infant and Nursery School

PrimaryRequires Improvement
Ages 3-7Capacity: 179LE3 5PA
Autism
SEN unit: 10 places

Lancaster Academy

SecondaryGood
Ages 11-16Capacity: 1200LE2 6FU
Speech & Language

Orchard Mead Academy

SecondaryGood
Ages 11-16Capacity: 1200LE5 1RT
Speech & LanguageSocial & Emotional
SEN unit: 12 places

Overdale Infant School

PrimaryNot judged
Ages 3-7Capacity: 370LE2 3YA
Speech & LanguageAutism

Overdale Junior School

Primary
Ages 7-11Capacity: 490LE2 3YA
Speech & LanguageAutism

Rushey Mead Academy

SecondaryOutstanding
Ages 11-16Capacity: 1620LE4 7AN
Speech & LanguageAutism

Rushey Mead Primary School

Primary
Ages 3-11Capacity: 588LE4 6RB
Speech & LanguageAutism
SEN unit: 10 places

Sandfield Close Primary School

PrimaryNot judged
Ages 4-11Capacity: 252LE4 7RE
Autism
SEN unit: 10 places

Shenton Primary School

Primary
Ages 3-11Capacity: 456LE5 3FP
OtherAutism

Spinney Hill Primary School

Primary
Ages 3-11Capacity: 689LE5 5EZ
Speech & LanguageAutism
SEN unit: 10 places

Stokes Wood Primary School

Primary
Ages 3-11Capacity: 503LE3 9BX
Autism
SEN unit: 10 places

The City of Leicester College

SecondaryRequires Improvement
Ages 11-19Capacity: 1614LE5 6LN
Speech & LanguageAutism

Thurnby Mead Primary Academy

Primary
Ages 3-11Capacity: 210LE5 2EG
Speech & Language
SEN unit: 20 places

Willowbrook Mead Primary Academy

PrimaryGood
Ages 3-11Capacity: 420LE5 2NA
Social & Emotional
SEN unit: 12 places

English Martyrs' Catholic School, A Voluntary Academy

Secondary
Ages 11-19Capacity: 1066LE4 0FJ
SEN unit: 3 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 Leicester.

You can request a statutory assessment for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in Leicester by using the request form available on the Leicester City Council's SEND Local Offer website at families.leicester.gov.uk/send-local-offer/. Start by talking to your child's school or early years setting, who can support your request to the local authority. For free impartial advice on the process, contact SENDIASS Leicester at 0116 2480862 or [email protected].
SENDIASS Leicester provides free, confidential and impartial information, advice, and support to parents and carers of children and young people aged 0-25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They help with EHCP assessments and plans, understanding reports and paperwork, attending meetings, and issues related to education, health, and social care. Contact them at 0116 2480862 or [email protected] for support tailored to your situation.
Leicester has 13 specialist schools for children with special educational needs, plus 23 schools with SEN units and 2 with resource bases. These provisions support the 2,877 pupils with EHCPs and 7,756 on SEN support out of 63,160 total pupils. More details on schools are available on the Leicester SEND Local Offer at families.leicester.gov.uk/send-local-offer/.
The Local Offer is a guide to all the SEND services and support available in Leicester for children and young people aged 0-25, including education, health, and social care. You can find Leicester's Local Offer at families.leicester.gov.uk/send-local-offer/. It includes information on schools, EHCPs, and local organisations like the Leicester Parents Carers Forum.
The statutory EHCP assessment process in Leicester should take up to 20 weeks from the local authority accepting your request to issuing the final EHCP, as per national guidelines. Timelines can vary based on individual circumstances, so contact SENDIASS Leicester at 0116 2480862 for specific advice. Check the Local Offer at families.leicester.gov.uk/send-local-offer/ for the latest process details.

Navigating SEND in Leicester?

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