This section includes information about Education & Support for children and young people with additional needs under 5 years old, Specialist Support Schools for children aged 5 – 19 years and post-16/19 education for young people.
We're aiming high for our city, and for our children and young people. We want to become a child-friendly city, and the best city in the UK for children to grow up in.
The vision of Children Services is that all children and young people do well at all levels of learning and have the skills for life. They enjoy learning in environments that give them confidence, knowledge, understanding and skills to thrive and achieve their potential. We believe through focussing on personalised approaches and removing barriers to achievement all children regardless of their learning difficulty or disability will be able to achieve high quality inclusive learning outcomes through our universal learning offer or, where appropriate, our specialist provision.
Our Leeds Children and Young People’s Plan 2018-23 sets out the outcomes we want for all our children and young people. Whilst our SEND and Inclusion Strategy sets out our shared plans to improve experiences and outcomes for children and young people with SEND, and those with additional needs. Additionally our 3 A’s plan (Attend Attain Achieve) focuses on five priority areas: reading, attendance, SEND, wellbeing and transition, it is not for schools and settings to enact, but is designed to enable the local authority to direct our resources to supporting education settings in raising outcomes and making a difference for children and young people, whilst Our Future in Mind Strategy sets out how people are working together to improve mental and emotional health for children and young people.
School Admissions
If you are applying for your child to start primary, junior or secondary school for the first time, you can find all the information you need to consider, including national deadlines, online application portal and school admission information for Leeds schools on the Leeds City Council Admissions pages.
We would suggest looking at the primary schools in your local area, including their websites and OFSTED reports. It is also a good idea to contact the schools and ask to speak to the SENCos to discuss whether they think your child’s needs can be meet at their school, as this may help you decide on which schools to name.
If your child is at a school, but you wish to change schools, you’ll need to apply for a school transfer. Find out more about moving schools.
You should also think about how your child might travel to and from school and whether you would be eligible for any help with home to school transport.