Secondary special education.

What is secondary special education?

Secondary special education is intended for pupils who cannot attend a regular secondary school but need more support. At secondary special education:

• The classes are smaller
• There is more structure in the day and in the class
• The teachers have knowledge of different disabilities and learning problems
• Children receive education at their own level, with support that suits their abilities

The goal of secondary special education is that every pupil can develop towards further learning, working, and participating in society as independently as possible.

Who is secondary special education for?

It is intended for pupils aged 12 to about 20 years who need more support than regular secondary education can offer.

This can be for example pupils with:

• An intellectual or physical disability
• Autism or another developmental disorder
• Long-term illness or psychological problems
• Learning problems combined with behavioral problems

At secondary special education, the types of support are divided into four clusters. Cluster 1 and 2 have a different route than cluster 3 and 4. There are almost no secondary special education schools for cluster 1 and 2, but they mainly provide support within regular secondary education.

How does admission work?

Your child cannot just go to secondary special education. Together with the school, you first look at what support your child needs. The agreements about this are recorded by the school in the development perspective plan. You as a parent are always involved in this process.

How admission in special education exactly works differs per cluster. Read more about this on the page about the different clusters.

What does the education look like?

In secondary special education, pupils receive lessons in a way that fits their development. A profile also fits with where your child goes after secondary special education. There are three profiles (directions). Each direction has a different goal and prepares your child for the future.

1. Further education: pupils then go to mbo, hbo, wo, or regular secondary education.
2. Labor market oriented: pupils learn skills to be able to work later.
3. Daytime activities: the education is not aimed at later following another education or work. Here pupils do learn to become as independent as possible and to participate in society.

For each profile, the school makes together with parents (and the child) a development perspective plan. This states which goals are achievable and what support the child receives.

Learning goals and diploma

In secondary special education, your child works on learning goals that match their abilities. The school looks together with you which profile fits best.

Some pupils take exams and earn a diploma. This can be a vmbo, havo, or vwo diploma. Some pupils do not meet the requirements of the school diploma. They receive a statement that says they have worked on the knowledge and skills they need for a suitable next place.

Options after primary school

The transition to secondary (special) education can be exciting. The primary school plays an important role in preparing for this.

The school discusses with parents and the partnership tailored education what the best next step is:

• regular secondary education with extra help
• vmbo with learning path support
• practical education track
• secondary special education.