Independent and Non-Maintained Special Schools

Independent and non-maintained special schools are separate from schools maintained by Sutton Council. Where a child or young person’s special educational needs cannot be met through local provision, the Local Authority may consider specialist provision outside the maintained sector, including provision outside Sutton, where this is appropriate to the child’s individual needs.

Sutton does not maintain a separate directory of individual independent and non-maintained special schools on the Local Offer. Information about these settings is available through the Department for Education’s national information.

Find information about special schools nationally

The Department for Education’s Get Information About Schools (GIAS) service provides information about schools and education providers in England, including maintained special schools, non-maintained special schools, academies and independent schools.

Get Information About Schools (GIAS)[External Link]

The Department for Education also publishes the list of independent special schools and special post-16 institutions approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.

Independent special schools and post-16 institutions approved under Section 41 [External Link]

Families considering a specialist placement should discuss their child’s individual needs and potential placement options with their dedicated EHCP Coordinator. The Local Authority will consider the suitability of any proposed setting through the statutory EHC planning process.

Important information about Non-Maintained and Independent (NMI) schools

This information relates to placements at NMI special schools for children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

Parents and carers should be aware that NMI special schools operate under different arrangements to state-funded (maintained) schools. NMI schools are independent providers and are separate from maintained schools within the local authority system.

NMI schools, as independent organisations, may serve notice to end a placement. The notice period is typically around six weeks, however there is no statutory minimum notice period. This differs from maintained schools, where pupils remain on roll unless a formal process for permanent exclusion or a change of placement is agreed through the statutory EHCP process.

In addition, NMI schools are not subject to the same statutory duties as maintained schools in relation to continuity of provision. In some circumstances, schools may close or cease trading. While they are expected to notify local authorities and families as early as possible and follow relevant regulatory processes, there is no statutory guarantee of continuity of provision in the same way as maintained schools.

Parents and carers are encouraged to consider these differences carefully when reviewing placement options and to discuss any questions with their dedicated EHCP Coordinator.