What special educational needs (SEN) provision exists in Gibraltar?

Question

Accepted Answer

Gibraltar has one specialist school, St Martin's School, with its Early Birds Nursery, plus Learning Support Facilities within mainstream primary and secondary schools. Charities such as PossAbilities and the Special Needs Action Group add community support.
St Martin's School
St Martin's is Gibraltar's specialist school for pupils with special educational needs. A new purpose-built school opened in September 2021, with facilities including a hydrotherapy pool and rebound therapy areas. Demand has risen sharply: Government figures cited in 2025 put the proportion of pupils with special educational needs at around 30 percent in 2023, up from 20 percent in 2014. A temporary additional site on Glacis Road has been proposed to relieve pressure on places.
Early Birds Nursery
Attached to St Martin's, Early Birds provides specialist nursery provision for children from around age two to three, on referral from Gibraltar Health Authority professionals.
Learning Support Facilities (LSFs)
For children whose needs cannot be fully met in a mainstream classroom but for whom St Martin's is not appropriate, LSFs operate at Notre Dame and Governor's Meadow (Lower Primary), St Anne's and Bishop Fitzgerald (Upper Primary), and at the secondary schools.
Coordination and the law
The Education and Training Act makes provision for pupils requiring SEND support, including placement outside Gibraltar where needed. The Government has a Special Needs and Disability coordination office at No 6 Convent Place.
Community organisations
PossAbilities: a charity running an SEN support facility at the former St Martin's School site, offering early intervention, family support, workshops, after-school clubs and supported employment training on a membership basis.
Special Needs Action Group (SNAG): a parent-led advocacy group.
Gaps to note
SNAG has highlighted limited specialist support in private nurseries for children under nursery age. Parents of young children with emerging needs should raise them early with their health visitor or GP to begin the referral process.

What special educational needs (SEN) provision exists in Gibraltar?

Short answer

Detailed answer

St Martin's School

Early Birds Nursery

Learning Support Facilities

Support beyond school