Can a local authority pay for my child to attend an independent school?

Yes. If your child has an EHCP (or equivalent plan) and the LA names an independent school in Section I, the LA pays the fees. This usually happens when no maintained school can meet the child’s needs, or when the independent school is on the Section 41 list and is the parent’s preference. The LA can also agree to fund a placement without a tribunal — but in practice, most are contested.

What is the Section 41 list?

The Section 41 list is a DfE-maintained register of independent schools and special post-16 institutions that have been approved to take children with EHCPs. Schools on this list have near-parity with maintained schools — the LA must name them if the parent requests it, unless one of three statutory exceptions applies (unsuitable, incompatible, inefficient). There are approximately 300 schools on the list.

How much does learning support cost at an independent school?

If you are paying privately (no EHCP funding), expect £30–£70 per session for 1:1 specialist tuition, £500–£1,500 for a full educational psychology assessment, and £200–£600 per term for small-group support. Specialist SEN schools typically charge £25,000–60,000 per year for day places and £40,000–100,000+ for residential, with therapy included.

Do independent schools have to accept children with SEND?

Independent schools are not bound by the same admissions code as state schools. They can set their own entry criteria and are not legally required to admit any particular child. However, they must not discriminate on the basis of disability under the Equality Act 2010. In practice, if a school cannot make reasonable adjustments, it may lawfully decline a place. Schools on the Section 41 list have slightly different obligations when named on an EHCP.

What is CReSTeD and does it matter?

CReSTeD (Council for the Registration of Schools Teaching Dyslexic Pupils) inspects and accredits schools that specialise in dyslexia. Registration levels include DU (dyslexia unit within a mainstream school), SP (specialist provision throughout), and WS (withdrawal system for individual support). CReSTeD registration means the school has been externally verified by specialists. It is a meaningful quality indicator for dyslexia-specific provision.

Can I get a bursary for a SEND child at an independent school?

Some independent schools offer bursaries for families who cannot afford fees, and a few have specific SEND bursaries or scholarships. However, bursaries for specialist SEND provision are rare because the costs are high and the funding comes from the school’s own resources. The most reliable route to funded independent SEND provision is through an EHCP and the Section 41 route, not bursaries.

How do I know if a specialist school is genuinely good?

Check: (1) Ofsted or ISI inspection rating, specifically SEND commentary; (2) external accreditation (CReSTeD, NAS, Section 41); (3) staff qualifications and ratios; (4) outcome data for SEND pupils; (5) parent testimonials — ask the school to put you in touch with current parents; (6) visit in person during a normal school day, not an open day.

What happens if the independent school cannot meet my child’s needs?

If the placement breaks down, the LA remains responsible for providing suitable education. You can request an emergency annual review of the EHCP to change the named school. In practice, the LA should find an alternative placement. If it does not act, contact your SENDIASS service or appeal to the tribunal. The school’s contract will govern notice periods and refund terms for fees already paid.

Do EHCPs transfer if we move from England to Scotland?

No. An EHCP has no legal force outside England. If you move to Scotland, you will need to apply for a Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP) through your new local council. Take all your reports and the EHCP with you as evidence — Scotland will consider them but is not bound by them. Start the process before you move.

Can a mainstream independent school refuse to provide the support in my child’s EHCP?

If the school is named in the EHCP and the LA is funding the placement, the school must deliver the provision specified in Section F. If it is not named in the EHCP and you are paying privately, the school is providing support voluntarily and can set its own terms. In either case, the Equality Act 2010 requires reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils.

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Parent Guide

SEND and Independent Schools

Around 100,000 children with identified SEND attend independent schools in the UK — some paid for by parents, some funded by local authorities through EHCPs and tribunals. Here's how the system works.

25–30 min readAll 4 UK nationsUpdated April 2026

Key facts

Around 100,000 children with SEND attend UK independent schools — some self-funded, some LA-funded via EHCPs
Roughly 300 specialist independent schools appear on the DfE’s Section 41 list, giving parents the right to request LA funding
Over 90% of SEND Tribunal hearings are decided in favour of parents when challenging LA placement decisions
Learning support charges at mainstream independents typically run £30–£70 per session on top of standard fees
If a school is on the Section 41 list, the LA must name it on an EHCP unless it can prove one of three narrow exceptions

~100K

SEND pupils in independent schools

~300

Schools on the Section 41 list

90%+

Tribunal cases won by parents

£30–£70

Per session for private LS support

Types of SEND Provision in Independent Schools

Independent schools offer SEND support in three broad models. Understanding the differences is critical — what a school calls “learning support” can range from a world-class specialist department to a single part-time TA.

Learning support department

Mainstream independent school with an in-house learning support or study skills department. Typically staffed by qualified SENCos and specialist tutors who provide small-group or 1:1 sessions alongside the regular curriculum.

Best for: Mild to moderate SpLD (dyslexia, dyscalculia), ADHD with manageable classroom needs

Prevalence: 60–70% of independent schools offer some form of LS department

Specialist SEN independent school

A school whose entire provision is designed around a specific need or group of needs. Small class sizes (often 4–8), specialist-trained staff, and integrated therapy. Many are on the DfE’s Section 41 list.

Best for: Complex needs, autism, severe dyslexia, SEMH, speech & language disorders

Prevalence: ~300 specialist independent schools in England alone

Mainstream with additional support packages

A mainstream independent school that charges separately for SEND support on top of standard fees. Support is typically arranged per session and billed termly. The school itself may not have a dedicated LS department.

Best for: Mild needs where a child thrives in mainstream but needs occasional specialist input

Prevalence: Per-session charges of £30–£70, billed termly

How to Get LA Funding for an Independent School

Local authorities can — and do — pay for children to attend independent schools. The route is through an EHCP (or equivalent plan). Here's the step-by-step process.

Get an EHCP (or apply for one)

The LA can only fund an independent school place through an EHCP. If your child doesn’t have one, request an EHC needs assessment from your local authority.

Name the independent school on the EHCP

At the draft EHCP stage, you have the right to name any school — including independent and specialist schools. The LA must consider your preference.

Check the Section 41 list

If the school is on the DfE’s Section 41 list, the LA must name it unless it’s unsuitable, incompatible with efficient education of others, or an inefficient use of resources. The bar for refusal is high.

If refused, appeal to the SEND Tribunal

You can appeal the LA’s decision. The tribunal can order the LA to name and fund an independent school if it’s the only placement that can meet the child’s needs. Over 90% of tribunal hearings go in favour of parents.

LA funds the placement

If the LA names the school (or the tribunal orders it), the LA pays the fees directly. The parent pays nothing for the educational placement, though some extras (e.g. boarding for non-educational reasons) may not be covered.

Key fact: Around 7,000 children in England have their independent school fees funded by local authorities through EHCPs. The number has risen significantly as state SEND provision has come under pressure.

Tribunal: Cost Arguments That Work

If the LA refuses to name an independent school on the EHCP, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal. These are the arguments that most commonly succeed.

The child’s needs cannot be met in any state-funded provision

Very strong

This is the strongest argument. If no maintained school or academy can deliver the provision specified in Section F of the EHCP, the LA must fund an alternative — including an independent school.

The independent school is more cost-effective than the LA’s proposed placement

Strong

If the LA’s alternative requires expensive additional support (1:1 TA, transport, therapy top-ups) that brings the total cost close to or above the independent school fees, you can argue the independent placement is the efficient choice.

Previous state placements have broken down

Strong

A history of failed placements in maintained schools is powerful evidence. It demonstrates that the LA’s usual provision cannot meet the child’s needs.

Parental preference under Section 38/39

Moderate

Parents have the right to express a preference for any school. The LA must comply unless one of three exceptions applies (unsuitable, incompatible, inefficient). The burden is on the LA to prove the exception, not on you to prove your choice.

What Independent Schools Charge for Learning Support

If you are paying privately (no EHCP funding), these are typical costs. They are charged on top of standard school fees.

Service	Typical Cost	Notes
1:1 specialist tuition	£30–£70 per session	Usually 30–45 mins. Charged termly.
Small-group support (3–5 pupils)	£200–£600 per term	Often for study skills or exam access.
Educational psychology assessment	£500–£1,500	Required for access arrangements and some EHCPs.
Speech & language therapy (on-site)	£50–£100 per session	If the school has on-site SLTs.
Occupational therapy	£50–£90 per session	Less commonly available on-site.
Full specialist day placement (SEND school)	£25,000–£60,000/year	Includes therapy. Varies hugely by need.
Residential specialist placement	£40,000–£100,000+/year	38 or 52-week placements. Usually LA-funded.

Compare independent school fees

Find and compare fees at schools with strong SEND provision near you.

Specialist Independent Schools by Need

Different needs require different expertise. Here are the main categories of specialist independent school and what to look for in each.

Dyslexia (CReSTeD registered)

Schools registered with the Council for the Registration of Schools Teaching Dyslexic Pupils. CReSTeD inspects and accredits schools at different levels: DU (dyslexia unit), SP (specialist provision), and WS (withdrawal system).

Examples: Bredon School, Frewen College, Moon Hall, Mark College

Look for: CReSTeD registration level, Orton-Gillingham or structured literacy approach, EP assessments on entry

Autism spectrum

Schools designed around the communication, sensory, and social needs of autistic children. Very small classes (4–8), predictable routines, low sensory environments, speech and language therapy integrated into the school day.

Examples: Prior’s Court, TreeHouse (Ambitious about Autism), Jigsaw Trust, Belmont School

Look for: NAS accreditation, SPELL framework, staff-to-pupil ratio, sensory audit of the environment

Speech and language

Schools where speech and language therapy is embedded in every lesson, not bolted on. Staff are dual-trained (teaching + SALT awareness). Typically associated with I CAN or Afasic-recommended lists.

Examples: Moor House, Dawn House, I CAN schools

Look for: On-site SLTs, therapy integrated into curriculum, I CAN or Afasic recommendation, progress data on communication outcomes

Social, emotional and mental health (SEMH)

Schools for children whose behaviour, anxiety, or mental health needs have made mainstream school impossible. Therapeutic ethos, small groups, access to clinical psychologists and counsellors.

Examples: Cambian Group schools, Priory schools, Kisimul

Look for: Therapeutic model (e.g. PACE, DDP), clinical staff on-site, restraint policy, Ofsted/CQC dual registration if residential

Due Diligence: Evaluating SEND Provision

A glossy prospectus is not evidence of quality. Use this checklist when visiting any independent school for a child with SEND.

Staff qualifications

Are learning support staff qualified (e.g., OCR Level 5/7 SpLD, AMBDA, HLTA with SEND specialism)? A willing TA is not the same as a specialist.

Staff-to-pupil ratio

What is the ratio in learning support sessions? 1:1 and 1:3 are standard for specialist schools. Mainstream LS departments vary — ask specifically.

Inspection reports

Read the most recent ISI or Ofsted report. Look specifically for comments on SEND provision, not just overall grades. Specialist schools should have strong SEND-specific commentary.

Outcome data

Ask for destination data and progress measures for SEND pupils specifically. Good schools track this separately and will share it willingly.

External accreditation

CReSTeD (dyslexia), NAS (autism), and Section 41 listing are meaningful quality indicators. They involve external inspection.

Integrated therapy

Is therapy (SALT, OT, EP) delivered on-site during the school day, or do parents have to arrange and pay for it separately? Integrated is almost always better.

Trial period and exit policy

What happens if the placement doesn’t work? Good schools offer a trial period. Check the contract for notice periods and refund terms.

Four-Nation Differences

Each UK nation has a different legal framework for funding independent SEND placements. England's system is the most developed; Northern Ireland's independent sector is the smallest.

England

EHCP

Section 41 list. LA must consider naming any school on this list. Tribunal route available if refused. Most developed system for LA-funded independent placements.

Key difference: The Section 41 list gives approved independent schools near-parity with maintained schools for EHCP naming purposes.

Scotland

CSP (Co-ordinated Support Plan)

Local authorities can fund independent specialist places through a Placing Request. The ASN Tribunal can order a placement. Scotland has a strong independent special school sector (e.g., Donaldson’s, New Struan).

Key difference: CSPs are rarer than EHCPs. Most children with ASN get support without one. This makes LA-funded independent placements harder to access.

Wales

IDP (Individual Development Plan)

The ALN Act 2018 allows LAs to fund independent placements through IDPs. The Education Tribunal for Wales can order it. The system is newer and less tested than England’s.

Key difference: Wales has fewer independent specialist schools than England. Cross-border placements (Welsh child, English school) are common and legally complex.

Northern Ireland

Statement of SEN

The Education Authority can fund independent placements through Statements. SENDIST NI is the appeal route. The independent sector in NI is very small.

Key difference: NI still uses the old Statement system. Fewer specialist independent schools, so many NI families look to England for residential placements.

Practical Tips for Parents

Start gathering evidence early: school reports, EP assessments, therapy reports, letters from professionals. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case.

Visit multiple schools — at least three. Ask the same questions at each to compare. Bring a checklist.

Ask every school specifically: “What happens when a child with my child’s profile struggles in your setting?” The answer reveals the culture.

Get a private educational psychologist (EP) report if the LA waiting list is long. Costs £500–£800 but can speed up the EHCP process by months.

Contact IPSEA or SOS SEN before a tribunal. Their free helplines are staffed by SEND lawyers and can review your case.

Check the school’s contract carefully. Learning support charges, notice periods, and exclusion clauses vary wildly.

If the LA refuses to name an independent school, ask them — in writing — which maintained school can meet every need listed in Section B of the EHCP. They often cannot answer this.

Join parent forums (SEND Tribunals group on Facebook, IPSEA forums). Other parents who have been through the process are invaluable.

Find independent schools with SEND provision

School Atlas Pro lets you filter independent schools by SEND provision, specialist accreditation, inspection grades, and fees — so you can shortlist the right schools for your child's needs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & further reading

• DfE — Section 41 approved list of independent special schools and special post-16 institutions
• ISC (Independent Schools Council) — Annual Census 2025, SEND pupil data
• IPSEA — Legal guidance on EHCPs and independent school placements
• CReSTeD — Register of schools teaching dyslexic pupils
• NAS (National Autistic Society) — School accreditation programme
• SEND Tribunal annual reports — Appeal outcomes and success rates
• Children and Families Act 2014 — Sections 38, 39, 41 (England)

This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For complex cases, consider seeking advice from IPSEA, Coram Children’s Legal Centre, your local SENDIASS, or a solicitor. Last reviewed April 2026.

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Parent Guide

SEND and Independent Schools

25–30 min readAll 4 UK nationsUpdated April 2026

Key facts

Around 100,000 children with SEND attend UK independent schools — some self-funded, some LA-funded via EHCPs
Roughly 300 specialist independent schools appear on the DfE’s Section 41 list, giving parents the right to request LA funding
Over 90% of SEND Tribunal hearings are decided in favour of parents when challenging LA placement decisions
Learning support charges at mainstream independents typically run £30–£70 per session on top of standard fees
If a school is on the Section 41 list, the LA must name it on an EHCP unless it can prove one of three narrow exceptions

~100K

SEND pupils in independent schools

~300

Schools on the Section 41 list

90%+

Tribunal cases won by parents

£30–£70

Per session for private LS support

Types of SEND Provision in Independent Schools

Learning support department

Best for: Mild to moderate SpLD (dyslexia, dyscalculia), ADHD with manageable classroom needs

Prevalence: 60–70% of independent schools offer some form of LS department

Specialist SEN independent school

Best for: Complex needs, autism, severe dyslexia, SEMH, speech & language disorders

Prevalence: ~300 specialist independent schools in England alone

Mainstream with additional support packages

Best for: Mild needs where a child thrives in mainstream but needs occasional specialist input

Prevalence: Per-session charges of £30–£70, billed termly

How to Get LA Funding for an Independent School

Local authorities can — and do — pay for children to attend independent schools. The route is through an EHCP (or equivalent plan). Here's the step-by-step process.

Get an EHCP (or apply for one)

The LA can only fund an independent school place through an EHCP. If your child doesn’t have one, request an EHC needs assessment from your local authority.

Name the independent school on the EHCP

At the draft EHCP stage, you have the right to name any school — including independent and specialist schools. The LA must consider your preference.

Check the Section 41 list

If refused, appeal to the SEND Tribunal

LA funds the placement

Tribunal: Cost Arguments That Work

If the LA refuses to name an independent school on the EHCP, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal. These are the arguments that most commonly succeed.

The child’s needs cannot be met in any state-funded provision

Very strong

This is the strongest argument. If no maintained school or academy can deliver the provision specified in Section F of the EHCP, the LA must fund an alternative — including an independent school.

The independent school is more cost-effective than the LA’s proposed placement

Strong

Previous state placements have broken down

Strong

A history of failed placements in maintained schools is powerful evidence. It demonstrates that the LA’s usual provision cannot meet the child’s needs.

Parental preference under Section 38/39

Moderate

What Independent Schools Charge for Learning Support

If you are paying privately (no EHCP funding), these are typical costs. They are charged on top of standard school fees.

Service	Typical Cost	Notes
1:1 specialist tuition	£30–£70 per session	Usually 30–45 mins. Charged termly.
Small-group support (3–5 pupils)	£200–£600 per term	Often for study skills or exam access.
Educational psychology assessment	£500–£1,500	Required for access arrangements and some EHCPs.
Speech & language therapy (on-site)	£50–£100 per session	If the school has on-site SLTs.
Occupational therapy	£50–£90 per session	Less commonly available on-site.
Full specialist day placement (SEND school)	£25,000–£60,000/year	Includes therapy. Varies hugely by need.
Residential specialist placement	£40,000–£100,000+/year	38 or 52-week placements. Usually LA-funded.