Inclusion & SEND
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities provision at Varndean School
New to SEN? Read our parent's guide
Plain-English explanations of every SEN type, what to look for, and how schools can help
SEN Overview
30.9%
Total SEN
463 pupils with identified needs
92
EHCP
Education, Health & Care Plan
371
SEN Support
School-based support without EHCP
20.4%
Free School Meals
Eligible for pupil premium
9.4%
EAL
English as an Additional Language
Primary Need Breakdown
Types of SEN at This School
Combined EHCP and SEN Support pupils by primary need category
ASDAutism Spectrum Disorder
14932.2%
Affects how a child experiences social situations, routines, and sensory input
SpLDSpecific Learning Difficulty
13228.5%
Includes dyslexia, dyscalculia — bright children who find certain learning harder
SEMHSocial, Emotional & Mental Health
12226.3%
Difficulty managing feelings, anxiety, or behaviour — not about being ‘naughty’
MLDModerate Learning Difficulty
286.0%
Learns at a slower pace and needs more support across subjects
SLCNSpeech, Language & Communication
173.7%
Struggles with speaking, understanding language, or expressing thoughts
PDPhysical Disability
51.1%
Physical conditions affecting mobility or coordination — doesn’t affect intelligence
VIVisual Impairment
51.1%
Blind or partially sighted, needs adapted materials and environment
HIHearing Impairment
40.9%
Deaf or partial hearing loss, may affect speech and language development
MSIMulti-Sensory Impairment
10.2%
Both hearing and vision difficulties, needs specialist support
EHCP vs SEN Support
Provision Level Comparison
How SEN needs are split between EHCP (statutory plan) and SEN Support (school-based)
| Need Type | EHCP | SEN Support | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASD | 45 | 104 | 149 |
| SpLD | 11 | 121 | 132 |
| SEMH | 23 | 99 | 122 |
| MLD | 5 | 23 | 28 |
| SLCN | 4 | 13 | 17 |
| PD | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| VI | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| HI | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| MSI | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 92 | 371 | 463 |
Understanding This Data
📋 EHCP
An Education, Health and Care Plan is a legally binding document that outlines a child's special educational needs and the support they must receive. EHCPs are issued by the Local Authority following a formal assessment.
🤝 SEN Support
SEN Support is the school-based provision for children identified as having special needs but who do not require an EHCP. The school's SENCO coordinates this support through the "graduated approach" of assess, plan, do, review.
🔍 SEN Information Report
Every school must publish a SEN Information Report on their website, detailing what support they offer, how they identify needs, and how they allocate resources. Contact the school's SENCO for more detail.