Special Education on the Isle of Wight 

Many children experience a difficulty with learning at some point in their school life. If you think your child has a learning difficulty, you should first talk to his or her class teacher.

This may result in a special programme being set up within school or, in some cases, may lead to your child being referred to one of our Support Services. Each school has a written policy for meeting special educational needs. This policy must be in line with a code of practice issued by the Department for Education and Skills (see link below to DfES parents section) and should include details of the ways in which special needs are assessed and what resources will be used to help pupils with learning difficulties.

If the school’s own resources and any assistance provided by Support Services are not enough to meet your child’s needs, then, if you agree, your child may need to be assessed. This assessment will always involve you and your child’s teacher, as well as one of our educational psychologists. Others with information about the pupil’s difficulties (for example, specialist support teachers, paediatricians or social workers) will also be involved in the process.

In exceptional circumstances, a Statement of Special Educational Needs will be produced. This will describe your child’s special educational needs and how they will be met. Help can be provided in a variety of ways and may include specialist teaching and support from a Learning Support Assistant or attending specialist facilities.

Most children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs attend primary, middle or high school in the normal way. It is our policy to support children in primary, middle and high schools as far as possible.

Some children have such complicated needs that they are best met in a special school or a resource unit. We have the following two special schools and resource units

These Special schools have been the subject of extensive reorganisation, this reorganisation will take place in September 2003.

Medina House Special School (from September 2003) 
- for children aged up to 11 (Reception to Year 6) with severe and complex learning difficulties. 

School Lane, Newport, PO30 2HS
Head Teacher: Ms J Hudson
Phone: 01983 522917
E-mail: pdench@lineone.net

St. Georges’ Special School (from September 2003) 
- for children aged 11 upwards (Year 7 to Year 14) with severe and complex learning difficulties, 

Watergate Road, Newport, PO30 1XW
Head Teacher: Mr. M Bell
Phone: 01983 524634
E-mail: admin.watergate@lineone.net

Love Lane Primary School. 
- Speech and Language Resource Unit

Nodehill Middle School 
- Communication and Interactive Difficulties Resource Unit

To be considered for these special arrangements, a child must already have a Statement of Special Educational Needs. Children are offered a place at one of the schools or units when that school or resource unit is named on their statement.

If your child is in a primary, middle or high school and you ask for a place in a special school, or resource unit, we would consider this following an annual review of your child’s progress and discussions with us.