Welcome

Welcome to the National Association of Independent Schools and Non-Maintained Special Schools.

The National Association of Independent Schools & Non-Maintained Special Schools (NASS) is a membership organisation working with and for special schools in the voluntary and private sectors within the UK. NASS is proud of its role in improving opportunities and standards for independent and non-maintained special schools. Some of our achievements include:

• Successfully lobbying the Government to include Non-maintained special schools in centrally funded initiatives e.g. standards fund, teacher threshold, and devolved formula capital. NMSS now receive over £7 million a year from central government.
• Central partner in the development and launch of the National Contract for Placement in Independent Schools and Non-Maintained Special Schools. The contract was launched in 2004 and amended in 2007. It is used by over 100 Local Authorities and over 100 schools.
• Central point of contact for the sector for Government. NASS has been part of the Special Schools Working Group, gave oral evidence to the Education and Skills Select Committee report on SEN and sits on the board of a number of national organisations.
• In 2007, NASS launched "Making Sense of Mental Health", a report of a study of the emotional wellbeing of pupils with SEN. NASS commissioned the University of Northampton to undertake a study of practice and policy in member schools. We will be using this report to generate funding for further work on curriculum and resource development.
  
  Download "Making Sense of Mental Health" report here

The NASS website provides details on all our member schools plus information on a range of issues relevant to special educational needs.

CASPA (Comparison and Analysis of Special Pupil Attainment)

We are pleased to advise that NASS is now an official distributor of CASPA and support provider to its member schools and is able to offer its members a significant discount on CASPA licence prices.
If you would like to know more about purchasing a CASPA licence through NASS, please go to the CASPA webpage.


Make sure you view the Calendar page for upcoming Conferences, Training Events and much more. If you are a member of NASS, don't forget to check the Members' Zone.