SEND & Alternative Provision
The children who most need a strong education are too often the ones the system serves least well. Children with special educational…
ExploreWhole-School SEND Review
Every school has a duty to get SEND right. When it works well, pupils with additional needs are identified early, supported well, and make real progress. When it doesn’t, children fall behind and families lose trust. But it’s hard to judge your own SEND provision from the inside. A whole-school review gives you an honest, outside look at how well SEND works across your school, and where it can be stronger.
Below, we explain what a whole-school SEND review involves, and how it helps you support every child with additional needs.
What Is a Whole-School SEND Review?
It’s an independent check of how SEND works across your whole school, not just in one class or key stage. We look at how you identify need, the support you put in place, and the difference it makes. We use clear evidence to see what you do well and where you can improve, measured against the SEND Code of Practice.
It gives you a reliable, honest picture of your SEND provision, free from internal bias. You see your school as an outsider sees it, with practical steps to build on.
Who Is a Whole-School SEND Review For?
It’s designed for all education settings: maintained schools, academies, and multi-academy trusts, Alternative Provisions, and SEND Units/Hubs. Headteachers, SENCOs, and senior leaders use a review to strengthen provision, support staff, and show they take SEND seriously.
Many schools ask for one after a rise in EHCP numbers, a change of SENCO, an inspection, or simply as good practice on a regular cycle.
We're here for youNot sure whether this is what you need? Talk it through with us first.
What Does a Whole-School SEND Review Include?
We cover every key part of SEND provision. You can choose a full review or focus on specific areas. Our most common areas include:
- How well you identify and assess pupils with SEND
- The quality of support and provision in the classroom
- How well pupils with SEND make progress
- Your graduated approach: assess, plan, do, review
- Quality of EHCPs, targets, and support plans
- How you deploy and train teaching assistants
- Working with parents, carers, and outside agencies
- The role and capacity of the SENCO
- How SEND links to safeguarding and wellbeing
How a Whole-School SEND Review Helps Your School, Academy, Trust, or Alternative Provision
1
Identify need early and accurately
Support only works when the right children get it at the right time. A review checks how well you spot and assess need. You find out who might be missing out, so the right help is in place sooner.
2
Check support is actually working
Provision on paper doesn’t always mean progress in practice. We look at whether your support makes a real difference. This shows you what’s effective and what needs to change, so every pupil gains.
3
Support your staff and SENCO
SEND is demanding, and it often rests on one person. A review shows where training, capacity, or support would help. It gives your team clearer expectations and more confidence to meet need well.
4
Give clear proof for inspection
When inspectors ask about SEND, you have evidence. Our reports show what you do, how it works, and what checks you’ve made. This makes inspections smoother and less stressful.
5
Strengthen work with families
SEND works best when families trust the school. We look at how you communicate and involve parents. This helps you build stronger relationships and better outcomes for pupils.
6
Support better decisions
You get clear facts, not guesswork. Leaders can plan staffing, training, and funding based on what the review shows. This makes your strategy stronger and more focused.
7
Make sure every child belongs
Good SEND provision is about inclusion, not just paperwork. A review highlights where pupils are supported well and where they’re being left behind. It helps you build a school where every child belongs.
Book a quick, friendly callTwenty minutes with Shaun, our Founder and CEO, to explore how we can help you.
How Our Reviews Work
- 1We agree exactly what you want to cover and when.
- 2Our experienced team reviews your SEND policies, records, and key documents.
- 3We speak to leaders, staff, pupils, and families to understand how SEND works in real life.
- 4We visit lessons and see support in action where it helps.
- 5We gather facts and evidence only, no assumptions or bias, then produce a concise, easy-to-read report with findings and clear next steps.
- 6We work efficiently and focus only on what matters. Our independent view gives you a clear and accurate picture of your SEND provision.
What You Get at the End
You receive a high-quality written report. It includes:
- What your school does well and where it’s strong
- Exact areas where you need to improve or develop
- Practical, realistic recommendations you can use straight away
- Clear evidence you can show inspectors, governors, or trustees
Arrange a chatTell us your timescale and we'll tell you honestly whether we can meet it.
Key Features of Our Service
Objective, evidence-informed evaluation
Every finding is based on facts. You get clear assurance and clear priorities.
Flexible review models
Pick what you need: whole-school review, targeted, or focused on a single area. We adapt to you.
Clear, professional reporting
Reports are simple to understand. They help you improve and prove your standards.
Why Choose Jarvis Education?
We work only with education settings. We know how SEND works, the pressures SENCOs and staff face, and what good provision looks like. Our independent view helps you support every child with additional needs, with every decision staying focused on pupils.
Want to know how a whole-school SEND review could help your school? Just get in touch.
Next Steps & How to Get Started
- Speak to one of our experts. We’ll explain how we work, answer your questions, and help you choose the right review for your school.
- We book dates well in advance. Once you’re happy, we confirm everything in writing and start planning your visit.
- Contact us today to discuss how we can support your school, academy, trust, and alternative provision.
- We’re ready to help and support you.
Who We Work With
We support settings of every type across England and internationally.
More SEND & alternative provision services
ServiceRegistering an Alternative ProvisionRegistering an alternative provision support for schools, academies, trusts and APs. Practical, independent support from experienced education consultants.ServicePRU & AP Academy Improvement SupportImprovement support for pupil referral units and AP academies. Leadership, curriculum, safeguarding and outcomes support from AP specialists.ServiceSetting Up a New Alternative ProvisionExpert support to set up a new alternative provision, registered or non-school. Safeguarding, curriculum, governance and quality from…ServiceReintegration from Alternative ProvisionIt is support to plan and deliver successful reintegration from alternative provision back into mainstream.
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