Private school fees - act now for SEND!

What type of SEN need cannot be met in state but only in private? I thought (purely from reading posts on MN - I have absolutely no real life knowledge) that private schools didn’t accept SEN children as they affect their results.
Are we basically taking about dyslexia?

@Collexifon the difference is that an EHCP is assessed by need/ medical evidence and not by how much your parents earn.

That’s not to say that it’s easy to get an EHCP and I’m not justifying the system which is on its last legs, but the theory behind it is sound. And having kids in classes with EHCPs with proper provision often benefits the rest of the class, because there are more teaching assistants etc. So if it’s done properly there’s no detriment to the other kids.

It's quite ironic how private school parents are criticised for 'only thinking about their own children', then example after example of parents 'fighting tooth and nail' for their own child's EHCP.

What's the difference?

And special school provision will meet that need.

Not necessarily, one not every area has adequate specialist provision to meet the needs of all children (academic children with asd as one example round here).

Plus you do know there are independent soecialist schools, right? Tbh that's where most send CYP end up over bog standard private schools.

Legally, reasonable. As I said I hope it is scrutinised better as with more and more wealthy people getting legal advice and support to argue their need for a private education the whole system and budget is going to buckle and the majority of children are going to be even worse off than they already are

Most of these cases have been scrutinised by tribunal. A court. Legal representation does nothing if you dont have evidence and SENDIST is an inquisitive court process.

It doesn’t always.

Not to mention some SS cost more than independent MS.

And special school provision will meet that need.

Not entirely sure why private smaller class sizes are so important as many MS state schools can and do provide good quality small group provision alongside a working environment that suits ND which doesn’t hinge on class size. You can have larger classes that meet ND need better than some smaller classes. Teaching style, atmosphere and provision across a whole setting will vary in all schools state or private.

If there was a local mainstream school that did this and was found to be able to meet needs, it would be named over an independent school. Independent schools are only named in EHCPs where there is no other suitable school or where placement at a mainstream school would cost a similar amount so it's not an inefficient use of resources to name the parental preference school (assuming that's the independent school here).

Plus not all CYP need small group provision for anything specific. Some need smaller, quieter, calmer environments across the school setting

No-one gets an independent MS named without meeting the legal threshold for it whether they have legal representation or not.

It is not defeatist and incorrect to say the state system can’t meet the needs of all disabled children. It can’t and it doesn’t. For some it never will. No matter how it is improved.

Legally, reasonable. As I said I hope it is scrutinised better as with more and more wealthy people getting legal advice and support to argue their need for a private education the whole system and budget is going to buckle and the majority of children are going to be even worse off than they already are .

It’s defeatist and incorrect to say the state system can’t meet the needs of disabled children. It already does for many and we’d be better placed to look at how we can extend that instead of diverting cash into the private sector at a cost to the majority in the state.

My child was in a setting with high adult ratios so didn't need 1-1. They then moved to mainstream which required full time 1-1.

You can ask all the questions you want but it doesn’t change the law.

It isn’t about what is ‘better’ it is about what is legally reasonably required. So, no, not every parent could meet the legal threshold for evidencing (quantified) small class sizes are required as SEP within F of an EHCP.

Not meeting the needs of disabled DC will cost more in the longer term.

No but I can ask questions plenty of other people who make decisions and those who don’t will be asking.

Pretty sure there isn’t a parent in the land who couldn’t argue that their child would be better off with smaller classes.

The fact is the SEN budget has to provide for all children not a few who are lucky enough to have parents arguing that they need a private education. It isn’t sustainable and actually we have no choice but to make the state system work better.

Paying for legal advice really isn’t essential. It is evidence that wins appeals. If parents needed independent assessment but can’t afford them and aren’t eligible for legal aid which can fund necessary assessments, there are charities who can help.

If you find it scandalous the state funds wholly independent MS via EHCPs where it has been deemed to be necessary &/or not unreasonable public expenditure, you would be aghast at the cost of some SS (state, NMSS, independent) and comprehensive EOTAS/EOTIS packages.

Sadly plenty of families end up in the position of needing legal assistance in order to get the right provision for their child. It shouldn’t be the case but it very much is in many many cases.

Luckily you don’t have to understand or ‘entirely sure’. You aren’t the one making the decisions.

Small group provision is not the same as a small class size.

For some DC, (quantified) small class sizes are important. That can be on top of teaching style, atmosphere and provision. Not instead of. Some win tribunals on the basis of small class sizes so it has been deemed to be reasonably required legally.

Of course not all independent schools are the same. No-one has said otherwise.

@BellesAndGraces I completely agree and have emailed my MP.
Single parent with autistic child who has been damaged and let down by mainstream education.
I sold my house and work 60 hours a week to pay for my child to get the education she deserves and needs in a small private school that specialises in ASD.

It is scandalous.

Not entirely sure why private smaller class sizes are so important as many MS state schools can and do provide good quality small group provision alongside a working environment that suits ND which doesn’t hinge on class size. You can have larger classes that meet ND need better than some smaller classes. Teaching style, atmosphere and provision across a whole setting will vary in all schools state or private.

No one needs a lawyer for this plenty of parents win such cases without one. It's about the evidence not the representation.

Won't be asking MP's to do anything for Private school students before they do things for state school students first.

For the many, not the few.

Thankfully, the law disagrees with you.

The SEN system needs improving, yes, but not at the expense of DC whose needs cannot be met in state MS. Not providing what disabled DC reasonably require costs more in the longer term.

Some are also in independent MS because they have shown it isn’t unreasonable public expenditure and being in state MS would cost more.

Independent MS can offer SEP state MS can’t. Starting with, but not limited to, smaller class sizes.