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SEND Services in North Somerset

South WestUnitary Authority
Council website

North Somerset, a unitary authority blending coastal towns and rural communities in the South West, offers dedicated SEND support shaped by its unique local landscape, where services strive to keep most children with EHCPs in area schools despite ongoing national pressures on placements. While neighbouring Somerset grapples with rising SEND demands and financial strains, North Somerset maintains a focus on improving outcomes through joint commissioning with health and education partners, as highlighted in recent local strategies. Parents navigating this can turn to SEND and You, the impartial SENDIASS service, for free, confidential advice to ease the journey and connect to the right help. You're not alone - local families and forums are here to support you every step.

That's where JakTrack comes in. As you navigate North Somerset's SEND services and prepare for appointments with education, health and social care partners, our app quietly builds a picture of your child's everyday life - tracking sleep, meals, behaviour and wellbeing patterns that matter. Over time, this evidence becomes invaluable when you're working with professionals, applying for support, or preparing for EHCP assessments, giving you the confidence that comes from having real data in your corner. Starting early means you're not scrambling to remember details when you need them most; instead, you're walking into conversations prepared, supported, and genuinely in control of your family's story. see how JakTrack can help

Schools & SEND Provision

84

Schools

6

Specialist

9

SEN Units & Resource Bases

32,545

Total Pupils

10.8%receive SEN Support

3,526 pupils

5.3%have an EHCP

1,720 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 North Somerset's Local Offer

IASS

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

SEND and You

Parent Carer Forum

North Somerset Parent Carer Forum (NSPCF)

SEND Team

Occupational Therapy

Sirona Care & Health Children's Therapy

Speech and Language Therapy

Sirona Care & Health Children's Therapy

Other Services

Early Help

New EHCPs by Primary Need

Schools

years old

Baytree School

SpecialNot judged
Ages 3-19Capacity: 120BS24 7DX
Severe LearningProfound & Multiple

Ravenswood School

Special
Ages 4-19Capacity: 134BS48 2NN
Specific LearningVisualOtherHearingSpeech & LanguageAutismMulti-SensoryPhysicalModerate LearningSevere LearningProfound & Multiple

Westhaven School

SpecialNot judged
Ages 4-18Capacity: 165BS23 4UT
VisualOtherHearingSpeech & LanguageAutismPhysicalModerate Learning

Lime Hills Academy

SpecialNot judged
Ages 5-16Capacity: 65BS48 2NN

Seven Hills

Special
Ages 11-18Capacity: 12BS21 6EX

Sky Vale

Special
Ages 6-18Capacity: 45BS40 5TD

Castle Batch Primary School Academy

PrimaryGood
Ages 2-11Capacity: 415BS22 7FN
Speech & Language
SEN unit: 20 places

Grove Junior School

Primary
Ages 7-11Capacity: 240BS48 4YZ
Speech & Language

Hannah More Infant School

Primary
Ages 4-7Capacity: 180BS48 4YZ
Speech & Language

Locking Primary School

PrimaryGood
Ages 2-11Capacity: 430BS24 8BB
Moderate Learning
SEN unit: 10 places

Mendip Green Primary School

PrimaryGood
Ages 4-11Capacity: 654BS22 6EX
Speech & LanguageAutism
SEN unit: 21 places

Milton Park Primary School

Primary
Ages 4-11Capacity: 420BS22 8DY
Autism
SEN unit: 10 places

Priory Community School

SecondaryGood
Ages 11-16Capacity: 1500BS22 6BP
Autism

Hans Price Academy

Secondary
Ages 11-16Capacity: 1050BS23 3QP
Speech & LanguageAutismSocial & Emotional

Nailsea School

SecondaryGood
Ages 11-18Capacity: 1300BS48 2HN
Autism
SEN unit: 10 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 North Somerset.

You can request an EHC needs assessment by completing a form and submitting it through the EHC portal or by post to the SEN Casework team at Education Inclusion Service, Town Hall, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1UJ. Parents, young people aged 16 or over, schools, and other professionals can all make a request, though it helps if you work together with your child's school first. You don't need to prove an EHC plan is definitely necessary - you just need to show it may be necessary.
SEND and You is North Somerset's Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) that provides free, impartial guidance to parents and young people about SEND support and the EHC assessment process. You can contact them on 0117 9897725 or email [email protected] for help understanding your rights and navigating the system.
The full EHC needs assessment process takes a maximum of 20 weeks from when you submit your request. Within 16 weeks, North Somerset will notify you whether a draft EHC plan will be issued or whether they've decided an EHC plan isn't necessary. During the first six weeks, the local authority reviews information about your child's needs and what support has already been tried.
The Local Offer is a guide that shows what SEND support and services are available in your area for children and young people with additional needs. North Somerset's Local Offer can be found at https://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/my-services/children-young-people-families/local-offer-and-early-help/local-offer/ and includes information about schools, specialist provision, and support services available to families.
North Somerset has 6 specialist schools, 7 schools with dedicated SEN units, and 2 schools with resource bases to support children with additional needs. Across the authority, there are currently 1,720 pupils with an EHCP and 3,526 pupils receiving SEN support in mainstream and specialist settings.

Navigating SEND in North Somerset?

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