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SEND Services in Westminster

LondonLondon Borough
Council website

Westminster is an Inner London borough experiencing significant changes in its school population and SEND landscape. Like many central London areas, Westminster has seen a notable decline in primary pupil numbers over recent years, which shapes how SEND services are organised and delivered across the authority. The government has recently announced major reforms to the SEND system, including new funding arrangements and a shift towards specialist provision packages and mainstream inclusion, changes that will directly affect how SEND support in Westminster develops over the coming years. If you're navigating SEND for the first time, Westminster Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS) for SEND can provide free, impartial guidance to help you understand your child's rights and the support available.

As Westminster's SEND services adapt to falling pupil numbers and upcoming national reforms, JakTrack steps in as your steady companion, helping you feel prepared and in control amid the changes. Families tell us it brings a sense of support - like having a quiet ally that builds a clear picture of your child's needs over time, so you're ready for EHCP discussions or appointments with Westminster IASS. Starting early lets that evidence grow naturally, empowering you to advocate confidently from day one. see how JakTrack can help

Schools & SEND Provision

84

Schools

7

Specialist

13

SEN Unit & Resource Bases

30,155

Total Pupils

14.6%receive SEN Support

4,409 pupils

4.8%have an EHCP

1,440 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 Westminster's Local Offer

IASS

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

Westminster Information, Advice and Support Service (IASS) for SEND

Parent Carer Forum

Make it Happen Westminster Parent Participation Group

EHCP

SEN Team

SEND Review and Monitoring Team

SEND Team

Portage

0-5 Portage and Early Years

Educational Psychology

Educational and Child Psychology Consultation Service

Occupational Therapy

SEN Occupational Therapy

Speech and Language Therapy

Speech, Language and Communication Needs Advisory Service

Social Care

Children with Disabilities Family Help Service

Other Services

Autism Advisory Team

Bi-borough Inclusion Service

Anna Selwyn - Head of Bi-Borough Inclusion Service

Sensory Support Service

Kathryn Gilgallon - Team Leader for Sensory Support Service

Home to School Travel Assistance

Early Help Service

Tresham Centre for Disabled Children and Young People

Kayleigh Lloyd - Westminster Short Breaks Operations Manager

The Inclusion Initiative

SEND Local Offer Team

New EHCPs by Primary Need

Schools

years old

Abingdon House School

Special
Ages 5-19Capacity: 180NW1 6LG
Specific Learning

College Park School

Special
Ages 4-19Capacity: 169W2 4PH
AutismSevere Learning

Fairley House School

Special
Ages 5-16Capacity: 250SW1P 4AU
Specific Learning

Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee School

Special
Ages 4-19Capacity: 75W9 3LG
AutismSevere LearningProfound & Multiple

Caelum House School

Special
Ages 4-11Capacity: 20SW7 1BX

The St Marylebone Church of England Bridge School

Special
Ages 11-19Capacity: 70W10 4LE

Woodside School

Special
Ages 8-18Capacity: 15NW8 7NE

All Souls CofE Primary School

PrimaryNot judged
Ages 3-11Capacity: 230W1W 7JJ
Autism
Resource base: 10 places

Dorothy Gardner Nursery School

NurseryGood
Ages 2-5W9 3JY
Speech & LanguageAutismMulti-Sensory

Edward Wilson Primary School

PrimaryGood
Ages 3-11Capacity: 448W2 5TL
VisualAutism
Resource base: 8 places

Hallfield Primary School

Primary
Ages 2-11Capacity: 496W2 6JJ
Autism

Marylebone Boys' School

Secondary
Ages 11-19Capacity: 950W2 1QZ
Autism

Millbank Gardens Primary Academy

Primary
Ages 3-11Capacity: 420SW1P 4HR
Autism

Ormiston Beachcroft Academy

SpecialGood
Ages 5-16Capacity: 73NW8 0NW
Social & Emotional

Pimlico Academy

SecondaryGood
Ages 11-19Capacity: 1250SW1V 3AT
Speech & Language
Resource base: 13 places

Pimlico Primary

PrimaryNot judged
Ages 5-11Capacity: 420SW1V 3AT
Speech & Language

Portman Early Childhood Centre

NurseryOutstanding
Ages 2-5NW8 8DE
Specific LearningVisualOtherHearingSpeech & LanguageAutismSocial & EmotionalMulti-SensoryPhysicalModerate LearningSevere LearningProfound & Multiple

Queen's Park Primary School

Primary
Ages 3-11Capacity: 310W10 4DQ
Speech & Language

St Augustine's Federated Schools: CE High School

SecondaryGood
Ages 11-18Capacity: 1000NW6 5SN
Hearing
Resource base: 10 places

Tachbrook Nursery School

NurseryNot judged
Ages 2-5SW1V 3RT
Autism

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 Westminster.

You can ask Westminster's local authority to carry out an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment if you think your child needs an EHCP. A request can be made by parents, teachers, doctors, health visitors, or other professionals who think an assessment may be necessary. You'll need to provide reports from your child's school or nursery, doctors' assessments, and a letter about your child's needs. The local authority will tell you within 6 weeks whether they'll proceed with the assessment.
Westminster's IASS (Information, Advice and Support Service) for SEND provides independent support to help you and your child through the SEND assessment process. They can help you understand your options if the local authority decides an assessment isn't necessary, support you through creating an EHC plan, and assist with moving a child from SEN Support to an EHCP. You can contact them at [email protected] for free, impartial advice at any stage of the process.
Westminster's Local Offer is a comprehensive online resource that describes the SEND support and services available to children and young people aged 0-25 in the area. You can access Westminster's Local Offer at https://fisd.westminster.gov.uk/kb5/westminster/fis/localoffer.page?localofferchannel=0, where you'll find information about schools, services, and support available in the borough.
The local authority has up to 6 weeks to decide whether to start an EHC needs assessment after you make a request. If they proceed with the assessment, they have a statutory duty to finalise and issue the complete EHCP within 20 weeks from the start of the process. During this time, you'll receive a draft plan and have at least 15 days to comment before the final plan is issued.
Westminster has 7 specialist schools and 12 schools with resource bases that provide additional support for children with SEND. Additionally, there is 1 school with a dedicated SEN unit. If you'd like to know more about which schools might be suitable for your child's needs, you can explore options through Westminster's Local Offer or speak with the local authority's SEND team.

Navigating SEND in Westminster?

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