Mainstreaming
It is the Executive's policy that all children should attend a mainstream school, unless certain circumstances apply.
This was introduced by the Standards in Scotland's Schools etc Act 2000. It says that exceptions should only be made where education in a school other than a special school:
- would not be suited to the ability or aptitude of the child
- would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education for the children with whom the child would be educated
- would result in unreasonable public expenditure being incurred which would not ordinarily be incurred
Guidance on the implementation of the presumption of mainstreaming is available.
More information on inclusive education is available at the inclusive education website.
Grant-aided schools
Some children's needs may be best met through specialist provision. The Executive provides significant funding to seven grant-aided special needs schools for young people like this. It is for the education authority to decide, in discussion with parents, which school is best placed to provide education for the children in its area.