Artful Dodger: Each county here looks after the schools in it's area. Yes, the government makes policy, though the use of resources is down to the county council. In cases of children with learning problems, each school has specialist teachers.. The use of a school specifically designed for children with learning problems although open, is just one of those options available. Each child with special needs is assessed each year (at least once) to see where they need to be and what they need.

Parents are part of this system, and can have say in their children's education as well as the usual .. help learning at home through homework, etc.