Starting Primary School

Local Offer

The first key transition is when your child moves into reception class at primary school. Many children will be supported by the Early Years Team with this move into primary school or a special school.

Primary school places for children with Special Educational Needs

It is estimated that approximately 20 per cent of pupils will have some kind of Special Educational Need at some time during their school life. It is expected that the majority of these Special Needs are such that they will be met in local mainstream schools without the additional involvement of the Council.

However, some pupil's Special Educational Needs may be such that we may consider that some additional or special provision is needed. This will be done in consultation with parents and professionals, and following a full formal assessment.

This provision would be made at the local mainstream school, or at a school or unit which has additional resourcing to meet particular needs. As far as possible, we seek to meet pupil's Special Educational Needs in a mainstream setting.

The team will advise you and the school on what your child needs and whether your child should have an Assessment of Special Educational Needs.

For further advice and support please contact the EHC Assessment and Review Team.

In some exceptional cases it may be necessary for placement to be determined at one of the schools listed below, or at specialist schools outside the Rochdale area.

Special Primary schools in the borough

Local advice

  1. Supporting Pupils at School with Medical Conditions

    The statutory guidance in this document is intended to help governing bodies meet their legal responsibilities and sets out the arrangements they will be expected to make, based on good practice. The aim is to ensure all children with medical conditions, in terms of both…

Local services

  1. Rochdale Schools Admissions Team

    The Schools Admissions Team is the first point of contact for all queries on admission to primary and secondary schools in Rochdale.  The team is also responsible for providing advice to schools and parents regarding exclusions, child employment, performance licenses and home to school transport.
  2. Education, Health and Care (EHC) Assessment and Review Team

    The EHC Assessment and Review Team is responsible for carrying out EHC needs assessments for children and young people with high needs aged 0 to 25 years. We liaise closely with parents, education settings and a range of services to ensure the provision made for those with…

Page last reviewed: 10/01/2024