All Local Authorities

SEND Services in West Berkshire

South EastUnitary Authority
Council website

In West Berkshire, a welcoming mix of market towns and rural communities, SEND support is tailored to meet families' needs through strong local partnerships and ongoing improvements like new early years nurseries opening in five schools this academic year. The area is advancing its SEND and Inclusion Strategy up to 2029, with fresh investments in the 2026/27 budget enhancing facilities and specialist help for children, building on high school standards where 95% are rated Good or Outstanding. West Berkshire SENDIASS offers impartial guidance to help you navigate this supportive landscape with confidence, no matter where you are in your journey.

With West Berkshire SENDIASS guiding you through this supportive landscape, JakTrack feels like a trusted companion, helping you feel prepared and in control as you build a clear picture of your child's needs over time. Starting early lets everyday moments turn into powerful evidence that strengthens your voice in EHCP processes and appointments, so you walk in supported and confident. Families here love how it quietly empowers them, one day at a time. see how JakTrack can help

Schools & SEND Provision

98

Schools

11

Specialist

12

SEN Units & Resource Bases

30,189

Total Pupils

16.4%receive SEN Support

4,949 pupils

5.9%have an EHCP

1,786 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 West Berkshire's Local Offer

IASS

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

West Berkshire SENDIASS

Parent Carer Forum

West Berkshire Parent Carer Forum

SEND Team

West Berkshire Council SEND Team

Occupational Therapy

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust - Children's OT

Speech and Language Therapy

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust - Children's SALT

Other Services

West Berkshire Directory

West Berkshire Directory

New EHCPs by Primary Need

Schools

years old

Brookfields School

Special
Ages 3-19Capacity: 218RG31 6SW
Moderate LearningSevere LearningProfound & Multiple

Mary Hare School

Special
Ages 4-19Capacity: 240RG14 3BQ
Hearing

New Barn School

Special
Ages 6-19Capacity: 130RG20 8HZ
Social & Emotional

Priors Court School

Special
Ages 5-20Capacity: 74RG18 9NU
Autism

The Castle School

Special
Ages 3-19Capacity: 212RG14 2JG
AutismSocial & EmotionalModerate LearningSevere LearningProfound & Multiple

Engaging Potential

Special
Ages 13-19Capacity: 14RG14 2PR

Haywards Farm School

Special
Ages 6-14Capacity: 32RG7 4AS

Northcroft Vocational School

Special
Ages 11-16Capacity: 30RG14 1BU

Oaklands School

Special
Ages 5-16Capacity: 80RG17 0YT

The Grange School

Special
Ages 7-16Capacity: 60RG19 3PN

The Mile House Therapeutic School

Special
Ages 11-16Capacity: 50RG7 5HJ

Trinity School

Secondary
Ages 11-18Capacity: 1204RG14 2DU
Specific LearningAutism
Resource base: 45 places

Fir Tree Primary School and Nursery

PrimaryGood
Ages 3-11Capacity: 240RG14 2RA
Autism
Resource base: 8 places

Kennet School

SecondaryGood
Ages 11-18Capacity: 1881RG19 4LL
HearingPhysical
Resource base: 32 places

Kennet Valley Primary School

PrimaryNot judged
Ages 4-11Capacity: 210RG31 7YT
AutismSocial & Emotional

Speenhamland School

PrimaryGood
Ages 4-11Capacity: 301RG14 1NU
Physical
Resource base: 10 places

The Winchcombe School

Primary
Ages 3-11Capacity: 420RG14 1LN
Specific LearningSpeech & Language
Resource base: 15 places

Theale C.E. Primary School

PrimaryNot judged
Ages 4-11Capacity: 341RG7 5AS
Autism
Resource base: 10 places

Theale Green School

SecondaryGood
Ages 11-18Capacity: 1389RG7 5DA
Autism
Resource base: 14 places

Westwood Farm Infant School

PrimaryGood
Ages 3-7Capacity: 180RG31 6RY
Hearing
Resource base: 4 places

Westwood Farm Junior School

Primary
Ages 7-11Capacity: 240RG31 6RY
Hearing
Resource base: 6 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 West Berkshire.

To request a statutory assessment for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in West Berkshire, contact your child's school or early years setting to discuss your concerns first, then submit a formal request to the local authority using their available request form. West Berkshire SENDIASS can provide free, impartial advice on the process, including help with filling out forms and understanding your rights. You can reach SENDIASS via their enquiry form on westberkssendiass.info, and they aim to respond within 5 working days.
West Berkshire SENDIASS offers free, impartial information, advice, and support to parents, carers, children, and young people aged 0-25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They help with understanding SEND law, filling in forms like EHCP requests, writing letters, preparing for meetings, and signposting to local education, health, and social care services. Contact them Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, through their website enquiry form for confidential support.
West Berkshire has 11 specialist schools for children with special educational needs, plus 2 schools with SEN units and 10 with resource bases to provide additional support. These provisions serve the area's 1,786 pupils with EHCPs out of 30,189 total pupils. More details on local schools and placements can be found through the West Berkshire Local Offer directory.
The Local Offer is a guide from West Berkshire Council listing all services, support, and provisions available for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including education, health, and social care options. It helps parents understand what help is out there and how to access it. Visit the Local Offer at directory.westberks.gov.uk/kb5/westberkshire/directory/localoffer.page to search for services near you.
The statutory EHCP process in West Berkshire follows national guidelines, where the local authority must decide on a needs assessment within 6 weeks of your request, and if approved, issue the final EHCP within 20 weeks from the start. Delays can sometimes occur, so it's helpful to track progress and seek support from West Berkshire SENDIASS. Contact SENDIASS early for guidance on what to expect at each stage.

Navigating SEND in West Berkshire?

JakTrack helps you track evidence, prepare for EHCP reviews, check benefit eligibility, and stay on top of appointments - all in one place.

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