About compulsory special needs school
Compulsory special needs school is for pupils who have a hearing impairment, visual impairment, severe language impairment or a combination of multiple disabilities. The teaching is adapted to the needs and capabilities of the pupils.
Who can attend compulsory special needs school?
Compulsory special needs schools are for
- pupils who are deaf or have a hearing impairment
- pupils who have a severe language impairment
- pupils who have a visual impairment and another disability
- pupils who are deaf or have a hearing impairment coupled with an intellectual disability
- pupils who have congenital or acquired deafblindness.
There are ten compulsory special needs schools around the country. They have different specialisations and orientations. Compulsory special needs schools are regional or national and are run by the National Agency for Special Needs Education and Schools (SPSM).
Read more about these schools on SPSM’s website, spsm.se
What your child learns in compulsory special needs school
In compulsory special needs school, your child will learn the same things as in mainstream compulsory school, but in a different way. The teaching is tailored to each pupil's needs. For example, compulsory special needs schools work with language and communication in different ways to make the teaching accessible to the pupils.
Compulsory special needs school consists of 10 year levels.
Curriculum and course syllabuses for compulsory special needs school, skolverket.se
Application and admission to compulsory special needs school
You apply to compulsory special needs school on SPSM’s website. SPSM will then decide whether your child can start at the school.
Applying to compulsory special needs school on SPSM’s website, spsm.se
Assessment and learning in compulsory special needs school
In compulsory special needs school, your child receives regular information about what they have learned in relation to the intended learning outcomes.
The teacher, your child and other pupils can provide feedback that helps the pupils progress in their learning. The teacher will also talk to your child about what they can do to move forward in their studies based on an assessment of what they need and what they already know. It is important for your child to gain an understanding of their own learning and development needs.
Parent-teacher conferences in compulsory special needs school
At least once a semester, you and your child will meet with your child's teacher to discuss how things are going at school and how your child is getting on. This is called a parent-teacher conference. This meeting aims to describe your child's knowledge and social development in relation to the curriculum, course syllabuses and grading criteria.
During the meeting, you will discuss how the school can support and stimulate your child's development and learning. The meeting gives you an opportunity to influence and take responsibility for your child's schooling. If particular adaptations and special support are needed, you can discuss this during the parent-teacher conference.
In the non-graded years of your child's studies, they receive a written individual development plan once a year instead of grades. This individual development plan must contain written assessments and a plan of what the school will do and what your child and you can do to help your child grow and develop as much as possible.
Grades in compulsory special needs school
Your child will receive grades beginning from Year 7 of compulsory special needs school. The grading scale has six levels: A, B, C, D, E and F. With passing results, a grade between A and E is assigned. With failing results, a grade of F is assigned. If a pupil had so many absences that the teacher cannot assign a grade, a dash will be entered in the grade record. This is because it is not possible to assess the pupil's knowledge level. In Year 10, your child will receive a semester grade at the end of the autumn semester and a final grade at the end of the spring semester.
Continuing your studies after compulsory special needs school
There are several options for pupils wishing to continue their studies after compulsory special needs school. For example, there are national upper secondary schools for
- pupils who are deaf or have a hearing impairment
- pupils with a severe language impairment
- pupils with severe physical disabilities.
If you have a disability, you can also receive various types of support in adult education and higher education.
After mainstream compulsory school and compulsory special needs school, SPSM’s website
If your family has a mother tongue other than Swedish
If either of your child's guardians has a mother tongue other than Swedish, your child may be entitled to mother tongue tuition and study guidance in their mother tongue or their strongest school language.
Your right to learn your mother tongue in compulsory school
School-age educare
Your child may spend time in school-age educare during the parts of the day when they are not in school and during school holidays.
Application for school-age educare in compulsory special needs school, SPSM’s website