All Local Authorities

SEND Services in Stoke-on-Trent

West MidlandsUnitary Authority
Council website

Stoke-on-Trent is a unitary authority in the West Midlands with a clear commitment to improving SEND support across the city. The local authority has recently developed a comprehensive SEND Strategy for 2024-2028, built on consultation with families, children and young people, with five key priorities including early identification, community inclusion, and high aspirations for the future. If you're new to navigating SEND support in Stoke-on-Trent, the SENDIASS team (01782 234701 or [email protected]) can provide free, impartial information and advice to help you understand your child's rights and the support available. You'll also find peer support through the Stoke parent carer forum, where other families share their experiences and can offer practical guidance on getting the best from local services.

Whether you're tapping into Stoke-on-Trent's SENDIAS team for impartial advice or connecting with the parent carer forum, JakTrack complements that support by quietly building a clear picture of your child's needs from everyday moments like sleep, meals, and behaviour. You'll start feeling more prepared and in control as the evidence accumulates over time - starting early means you're ready for EHCP processes or appointments with insights that make your voice stronger. It's that steady companion, turning your daily care into the proof that helps you advocate with confidence. see how JakTrack can help

Schools & SEND Provision

115

Schools

19

Specialist

14

SEN Units & Resource Bases

42,191

Total Pupils

15.3%receive SEN Support

6,437 pupils

5.6%have an EHCP

2,382 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 Stoke-on-Trent's Local Offer

IASS

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

SENDIASS - SEND Information Advice and Support Service

Parent Carer Forum

Stoke parent carer forum

Local parent and carer voice organisation

EHCP

Median assessment: 20 weeks (legal limit: 20)

Short Breaks

Short breaks information

Children With Disabilities Short Break Service

Portage

Portage Home Teaching Service

Part of the Early Years Inclusive Learning Service. Also contactable on 01782 232292. Based at Hazel Trees, Duke Street, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent.

Educational Psychology

Stoke-on-Trent Educational Psychology Service (SOT EPS)

Social Care

Children with Disabilities social work team

The Designated Social Care Officer for Stoke on Trent is Jenny Haines. Mobile: 07767179546. For referrals call CHAD (Children's Advice and Duty Service) on 01782-235100.

Other Services

Home to School Transport / Travel Assistance

Autism Assessment / Autism Pathway

Caudwell Children - autism assessment and family support

Family Support / Early Help

Preparing for Adulthood / Transition team

New EHCPs by Primary Need

Schools

years old

Abbey Hill Academy & College

Special
Ages 3-19Capacity: 412ST3 5PP
Specific LearningSpeech & LanguageAutismModerate Learning

Edison Pace School

Special
Ages 7-18Capacity: 96ST1 4NF
Specific LearningAutismSocial & EmotionalModerate Learning

Glebedale School

Special
Ages 7-19Capacity: 44ST4 3AY
Social & Emotional

Kemball School

Special
Ages 3-19Capacity: 190ST3 3JD
AutismModerate LearningSevere LearningProfound & Multiple

Portland School

SpecialInadequate
Ages 3-16Capacity: 140ST11 9JG
Social & Emotional

Regent College

Special
Ages 16-25Capacity: 41ST4 7AA
Social & EmotionalSevere Learning

Snowhill School

Special
Ages 11-18Capacity: 100ST1 4LY
Specific LearningAutismSocial & EmotionalModerate Learning

Strathmore College

Special
Ages 16-25Capacity: 59ST4 8LJ
Moderate Learning

Watermill School

Special
Ages 2-16Capacity: 140ST6 6JZ
VisualHearingSpeech & LanguageAutismSocial & EmotionalPhysicalModerate LearningSevere LearningProfound & Multiple

Alpha Learning Staffordshire

Special
Ages 11-16Capacity: 35ST6 2AW

Emerge School

Special
Ages 5-13Capacity: 40ST4 2DL

Intuition Holistic Education

Special
Ages 11-16Capacity: 12ST3 4JD

Manor Abbey School

Special
Ages 11-16Capacity: 70ST2 8LG

Rowan House School

Special
Ages 5-14Capacity: 10ST3 6AT

Spruce House School

Special
Ages 5-14Capacity: 5ST1 6HD

The Avenue

Special
Ages 4-11Capacity: 42ST4 5RF

The Nest

Special
Ages 7-17Capacity: 30ST6 4JU

The Oaks

Special
Ages 4-11Capacity: 60ST6 6FF

Wonder Star School

Special
Ages 5-11Capacity: 20ST7 3SD

Alexandra Infants' School

PrimaryNot judged
Ages 3-7Capacity: 203ST3 4PZ
Social & Emotional

Belgrave St Bartholomew's Academy

PrimaryNot judged
Ages 3-11Capacity: 496ST3 4TP
Speech & Language
SEN unit: 25 places

Kingsland CofE Academy

PrimaryGood
Ages 2-11Capacity: 519ST2 9AS
Specific LearningSpeech & LanguageAutismModerate Learning
SEN unit: 25 places

Ormiston Meridian Academy

SecondaryGood
Ages 11-16Capacity: 966ST3 7DF
Specific LearningVisualOtherHearingSpeech & LanguageAutismSocial & EmotionalPhysicalModerate Learning

Priory CofE Academy

Primary
Ages 3-11Capacity: 487ST4 8EF
Specific LearningSpeech & LanguageAutismModerate Learning
SEN unit: 15 places

The Crescent Academy

Primary
Ages 3-11Capacity: 705ST3 6HZ
Autism

Ball Green Primary School

PrimaryGood
Ages 3-11Capacity: 360ST6 8AJ
Social & Emotional

Sandon Primary Academy

Primary
Ages 2-11Capacity: 480ST3 7AW
Specific LearningVisualOtherHearingSpeech & LanguageAutismSocial & EmotionalPhysicalModerate Learning

The Willows Primary School

PrimaryNot judged
Ages 3-11Capacity: 690ST4 7JY
Hearing
Resource base: 12 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 Stoke-on-Trent.

To request a statutory assessment for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in Stoke-on-Trent, contact your child's school, nursery, or a health professional to make the request to the local authority. You can also request it directly yourself by contacting Stoke-on-Trent City Council via their website at www.stoke.gov.uk. The SENDIASS service can provide free, impartial advice and support throughout the process by calling 01782 234701 or emailing [email protected].
Stoke-on-Trent's SENDIASS offers free, confidential, and impartial information, advice, and support for parents, children, and young people aged 0-25 with special educational needs or disabilities. They help with understanding EHCPs, preparing for meetings, local services, education law, mediation, appeals, and exclusions. Contact them at 01782 234701 (Mon-Fri 10am-2pm) or [email protected].
Stoke-on-Trent has 19 specialist schools for children with SEND, plus 9 schools with SEN units and 5 with resource bases. These provisions support the 2,382 pupils with EHCPs and 6,437 on SEN support out of 42,191 total pupils. More details are available on the Stoke-on-Trent Local Offer at localoffer.stoke.gov.uk.
The Local Offer is a guide to all SEND services, support, and provisions available in Stoke-on-Trent for children and young people aged 0-25. It includes information on education, health, social care, schools, and family hubs. Find it at localoffer.stoke.gov.uk.
The median time for the EHCP assessment process in Stoke-on-Trent is 20 weeks. This can vary based on individual circumstances, so contact SENDIASS for personalised guidance. They can help track progress and explain next steps by calling 01782 234701.

Navigating SEND in Stoke-on-Trent?

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