Education

School, college and university support, exam arrangements and SEND processes.

Sample content. This summarises official sources listed below. It is information, not legal advice.

Key points

Schools, colleges and universities must make reasonable adjustments and must not discriminate against disabled learners.
In England, support may be through SEN support or an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan. Scotland uses Additional Support for Learning, Wales uses Individual Development Plans, and Northern Ireland has its own SEN framework.
Schools must have an accessibility plan covering physical access, the curriculum and information in accessible formats.
Exam access arrangements are decided by awarding bodies and must reflect the learner's normal way of working.
Disabled Students' Allowance can fund equipment, software and non-medical help in higher education.
A worked example: a dyslexic pupil struggling to complete written work in class might be given extra time, a scribe, coloured overlays or access to a laptop as part of SEN support, without necessarily needing an EHC plan.
Universities must also make adjustments to teaching, assessment and accommodation under the Equality Act, separately from any DSA support.

Ask the SENCO (or equivalent) for a written record of the support agreed.
You can ask a local authority in England for an EHC needs assessment yourself.
Ask about appeal routes: SEND Tribunal in England, and equivalent bodies elsewhere.
Contact IPSEA or your local SENDIASS service for free advice in England.