What is a school accommodation request letter?
When a child is struggling at school because of ADHD, dyslexia, autism, anxiety, a physical disability or a health condition, the first step is often a conversation at the school gate. The step that gets things moving is a letter. A written request sets out what your child needs, what you're asking for and what evidence you have, and it gives the school something to log and respond to.
This letter introduces your child and their diagnosis or area of need, and explains how it shows up at school. It lists the supports you'd like considered, such as seating, written instructions, extra time or breaks, and welcomes staff ideas. You can also ask the school to carry out its own assessment, or to start a formal evaluation for special education or additional support. It lists the reports you enclose, asks for confidentiality, proposes a meeting to agree a written plan and can set a date for a reply. The wording isn't tied to any one country's system, so it works whether the school talks about a 504 plan, an IEP, SEN support or reasonable adjustments.
- Best for
- Parents asking a school for learning, health or disability support
- Signed by
- The parent or guardian
- Covers
- Needs, impact at school, requested supports, assessment request, documents, meeting, reply date
- Length
- 1 to 2 pages
When to use a school accommodation request letter
- Asking for extra time and a quiet room for tests after an ADHD diagnosis
- Requesting reading support and coloured overlays for dyslexia
- Asking for a formal evaluation of a child who is falling behind
- Setting up toilet passes and rest breaks for a medical condition
- Asking for a plan when a child returns to school after illness or injury
What you fill in
16 blanks, then the name and email of each person who signs: parent or guardian.
1 The letter
- Date of the letter*
- Addressed to*
- Dear …*
2 Your child
- Child's full name*
- Child's date of birth*
- Grade, year or class*
- Diagnosis or area of need*
- How it affects school*
3 The request
- Supports you are asking for*
- Also ask the school to* carry out its own assessment of my child's needs, if it considers this necessary · carry out a formal evaluation of my child's needs under its procedures for special education or additional support · nothing further (accommodations only)
- Documents enclosed
4 Meeting
- When you can meet*
- Please reply by
5 Your details
- Your full name*
- Your phone*
- Your email*
6 Who signs
- Parent or guardian signature and date
What the school accommodation request letter covers
- About my child's needs
- What I am asking for
- Next steps
Using the school accommodation request letter, step by step
1 Address it to the right person
Enter the date and the person and school you're writing to: often the special education coordinator, SENCo or head of year.
2 Describe your child's needs
Enter your child's details and diagnosis or area of need, then describe how it affects them at school, with real examples.
3 Ask for specific supports
List the accommodations you'd like, one per line. Choose whether to ask for an assessment or a formal evaluation, and list any reports you'll attach.
4 Propose a meeting and send
Say when you can meet and, if you like, when you'd like a reply. Sign online and email the PDF with your attachments, and keep a copy in your FileIt vault.
Tips before you send it
- Be specific. "Written homework instructions" gets a clearer answer than "more support".
- Attach reports from doctors, therapists or psychologists if you have them. You can often ask for support before a formal diagnosis.
- Keep a dated copy. In many systems, a written request for an evaluation starts a timeline the school has to follow.
- Rules on school support and evaluations differ by country and state. Your local education authority or a parent advocacy group can explain yours.
- Follow up the meeting with an email listing what was agreed.
Sign it online in minutes
- Fill in the blanks. Names, dates and amounts go straight into the agreement — the preview shows exactly where.
- Name who signs. Tick “This is me” for your own part. FileIt builds the PDF with every signature, date box on the right line, and you can check or move anything before sending.
- Send it. Each signer gets a secure link and signs from any device — no account needed. The signed PDF, with an audit trail and a Certificate of Completion, is filed in your vault and emailed to everyone.
School accommodation request letter: frequently asked questions
Is this the same as a 504 plan or IEP request?
It can be used as one. The letter asks for accommodations and, if you choose, a formal evaluation under the school's procedures. The school's own process decides which plan, if any, follows.
Do I need a diagnosis to send this letter?
Not always. You can describe the difficulties you see and ask the school to assess. A diagnosis or report helps, so list it if you have one.
Who should I send it to?
Usually the special education or learning support coordinator, with a copy to the class teacher or head of year. The address box takes whatever name and title you need.
Can both parents sign?
The template has one signer. To have both parents sign, add the second parent as an extra signer in the editor before you send.