QTS SEND Code of Practice 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the SEND Code of Practice, who should be involved in setting outcomes for a pupil with an EHCP?
- The pupil, their parents, the school, health, and social care agencies (Correct answer)
- Only the school and SENCO
- Only the local authority
- Only the class teacher
Correct answer: The pupil, their parents, the school, health, and social care agencies
EHCP planning is co-produced — involving the pupil themselves, their parents, and all relevant professionals across education, health, and social care.
Question 2: What is 'graduated approach' and why is it important in SEND provision?
- A cycle of increasing levels of support and review that ensures provision matches need — preventing over or under-identification (Correct answer)
- A one-off assessment that categorises pupils permanently
- A system that separates SEND pupils from their peers
- A national curriculum modification framework
Correct answer: A cycle of increasing levels of support and review that ensures provision matches need — preventing over or under-identification
The graduated approach ensures that support is proportionate, evidence-based, and continually reviewed — starting with quality first teaching and increasing to specialist input as needed.
Question 3: Which EHF review must take place annually for a pupil with an EHCP?
- The Annual Review (Correct answer)
- The Person-Centred Review
- The SEN Support Review
- The Termly Progress Review
Correct answer: The Annual Review
EHCPs must be formally reviewed at least annually — the Annual Review is a statutory requirement to assess whether outcomes are being met and whether the plan needs amendment.
Question 4: What is 'dyscalculia' in the context of SEND?
- A specific learning difficulty affecting understanding of numbers and mathematical concepts (Correct answer)
- A form of dyslexia affecting reading
- A hearing impairment
- A social communication disorder
Correct answer: A specific learning difficulty affecting understanding of numbers and mathematical concepts
Dyscalculia is a specific learning difficulty (SpLD) characterised by persistent difficulties with understanding numbers, mathematical reasoning, and arithmetic — it falls under cognition and learning.
Question 5: Under the SEND Code, what does 'quality first teaching' mean?
- Highly personalised, responsive teaching that meets the needs of all pupils without the need for additional intervention (Correct answer)
- Teaching exclusively for pupils with EHCP
- A teaching programme only for gifted pupils
- A set of pre-planned interventions delivered by TAs
Correct answer: Highly personalised, responsive teaching that meets the needs of all pupils without the need for additional intervention
Quality first teaching — also called high-quality inclusive teaching — means responsive, differentiated, whole-class teaching that meets diverse needs, reducing the need for additional SEND interventions.
Question 6: What is the maximum time a local authority has to complete an EHC needs assessment once requested?
- 20 weeks (Correct answer)
- 12 weeks
- 6 months
- 8 weeks
Correct answer: 20 weeks
Local authorities must complete the entire EHC needs assessment process and issue a final EHCP within 20 weeks of receiving the request, subject to specified exceptions.
QTS SEND Code of Practice 4
Under the SEND Code of Practice, who should be involved in setting outcomes for a pupil with an EHCP?