(1)A child has “special educational needs” for the purposes of this Act if he has a learning difficulty which calls for special educational provision to be made for him.
(2)Subject to subsection (3) (and except for the purposes of [F1section 15A or 15B] [F2 or section 507B] ) a child has a “learning difficulty” for the purposes of this Act if—
(a)he has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of children of his age,
(b)he has a disability which either prevents or hinders him from making use of educational facilities of a kind generally provided for children of his age in schools within the area of the [F3local authority] , or
(c)he is under [F4compulsory school age] and is, or would be if special educational provision were not made for him, likely to fall within paragraph (a) or (b) when of F5. . . that age.
(3)A child is not to be taken as having a learning difficulty solely because the language (or form of the language) in which he is, or will be, taught is different from a language (or form of a language) which has at any time been spoken in his home.
(4)In this Act “special educational provision” means—
(a)in relation to a child who has attained the age of two, educational provision which is additional to, or otherwise different from, the educational provision made generally for children of his age in schools maintained by the [F3local authority] (other than special schools) F6. . ., and
(b)in relation to a child under that age, educational provision of any kind.
(5)In this Part—
“child” includes any person who has not attained the age of 19 and is a registered pupil at a school;
[F7“maintained school” means any community, foundation or voluntary school or any community or foundation special school not established in a hospital.]
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 312(2) substituted (28.7.2000 for certain purposes otherwise 1.4.2001) by 2000 c. 21, ss. 149, 154, Sch. 9 para. 56 (with s. 150); S.I. 2001/654, art. 2(2), Sch. Pt. II (with art. 3); S.I. 2001/1274, art. 2(1), Sch. Pt. I
F2Words in s. 312(2) inserted (8.1.2007) by Education and Inspections Act 2006 (c. 40), s. 188(2), Sch. 1 para. 3
F3Words in Act substituted (5.5.2010) by The Local Education Authorities and Children’s Services Authorities (Integration of Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1158), Sch. 2 para. 7(2) (with Sch. 2 para. 7(4)(5))
F4Words in s. 312(2)(c) substituted (1.8.1998) by 1997 c. 44, s. 57(1), Sch. 7 para. 23(a); S.I. 1998/386, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. III
F5Words in s. 312(2)(c) repealed (1.8.1998) by 1997 c. 44, s. 57(1)(4), Sch. 7 para. 23(b), Sch. 8; S.I. 1998/386, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. III
F6Words in s. 312(4)(a) repealed (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(1)(3), Sch. 30 para. 71(a), Sch. 31 (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1
F7Words in s. 312(5) substituted (1.9.1999) by 1998 c. 31, s. 140(1), Sch. 30 para. 71(b) (with ss. 138(9), 144(6)); S.I. 1999/2323, art. 2(1), Sch. 1