Foreland Fields School

What Parents Should Know

Foreland Fields School is a special school in Kent serving children with severe and profound learning difficulties, including autistic children, across Thanet and East Kent. Special schools like this provide highly specialist teaching, therapy, and care in an environment designed to meet complex learning needs.

To attend a special school in Kent, your child will usually need an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The EHCP process involves a formal assessment by the local authority, which considers your child's needs and the type of provision required. The local authority will then consult with schools that may be appropriate.

If you believe your child's needs cannot be met in a mainstream school, you can request an EHC needs assessment from Kent County Council. You can also name a preferred school in your EHCP application, and the local authority must consider your preference.

Helpful Resources

• How to Apply for an EHCP in Kent — step-by-step guide for parents
• Understanding EHCPs in Kent — what to expect from the process
• EHCP Appeals Guide — if you disagree with a decision
• School Transport Appeals in Kent
• All SEND Schools in Kent

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my child need an EHCP to attend a special school?

In most cases, yes. Admission to a special school in Kent typically requires an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that names the school. The EHCP sets out your child's needs and the support they require, and the local authority uses it to determine the appropriate placement.

How do I request a place at a specific special school?

You can express a preference for a particular school during the EHCP process. The local authority must consider your preference and can only refuse if the school is unsuitable for your child's needs, if it would be incompatible with the efficient education of other children, or if it would be an inefficient use of resources. See our EHCP application guide for more details.

What therapies are typically available in special schools?

Many special schools in Kent have on-site access to speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and physiotherapy. Some also offer music therapy, play therapy, or counselling. The specific therapies available vary by school and may be delivered by NHS or privately contracted therapists. These provisions should be outlined in your child's EHCP.