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Original poster

Secondary School Appeal SEN tomorrow!!!

35 replies

OhRex · 07/06/2022 12:25

I feel I am a little late to the game, I just honestly didn’t think of looking on Mumsnet til now….

My 11yo daughter (ASC/SPD/anxiety) didn’t get into either of the secondary schools we applied for and was offered a place at our nearest secondary school.

She hated that school when we visited and became quickly overwhelmed and anxious. I declined the place as I felt that it would be harmful to the appeal if we accepted.

Our first place school has 682 applications for its 180 places. We were initially at 64 on the waitlist and are down to 28. She LOVED the school at the Open Evening - I have never seen her so engaged, she was in the science labs doing experiments, shooting basketball hoops in the gym (she hates any sport), she spent ages in the Art room (it’s her favourite). She was so happy and calm there.

We are out of catchment area for both our first and second choice schools and our social/medical appeal at time of applying was rejected as autism is so prevalent and all schools should be able to handle her.

ALL her friends are attending the 2 schools we didn’t get into.

Our argument is that we (parents, teachers, support workers, SENCOs) have spent 7 years helping her to make friends, nurturing those bonds and she finally has a tight team of girls around her who understand and support her. It is is unimaginable to me that she would be able to make what will be a very hard transition anyway, without the support and familiarity of those friends.

We have supporting letters from the SENCO, Family Support Worker, Headteacher, class teacher, her Autism diagnosis and report, all as evidence.

What do I need to say in the appeal?? I am crapping it.

OP posts:
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Purplepuff · 11/06/2022 12:44

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WhatNowwwww · 11/06/2022 09:38

OhRex · 11/06/2022 08:20

I think we will @WhatNowwwww - interestingly the EHCP debate came up during the hearing. The school representative explained to the panel how it worked and how criteria can differ slightly from LA to LA, she said the if my DD would have been in her borough, it’s likely she would have been more successful.
Now that we are going to School A, it will be something I’m going to bring up with them to see if we can possibly put it in place for the future.
’masks beautifully’ are they for real? Do they understand what masking actually is??? There is nothing beautiful about a square peg bashingvthemselves into a round hole silently, without any relief, all day….

I hope you have success this time with the EHCP.
SENDIASS have been really helpful for us if you want some support with it.

It was depressing to hear that from the OT who was actually lovely and the most helpful professional we’ve had contact with, apart from the diagnosis team. At least she recognised he was masking though. The SENCO said to me “well I understand masking is when you'll
notice a child fidgeting or pulling their hair”. I really didn’t expect to have to explain why that’s a simplistic definition that doesn’t apply to my child at all.
He’s so tired at the end of a school day, after no relief as you’ve said. He’s managing academically though so they don’t want to offer any support. It feels like I’m banging my head against a brick wall!

LargeLegoHaul · 11/06/2022 09:19

The school representative explained to the panel how it worked and how criteria can differ slightly from LA to LA

No, it doesn’t. LAs might think they can have their own local policy but it does not trump the law.

Original poster
OhRex · 11/06/2022 08:22

Thanks @PatriciaHolm - it is truly a weight lifted. DD is also massively relieved. She said it had been so hard to cope with her friends being excited and to be happy for them.

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Original poster
OhRex · 11/06/2022 08:20

I think we will @WhatNowwwww - interestingly the EHCP debate came up during the hearing. The school representative explained to the panel how it worked and how criteria can differ slightly from LA to LA, she said the if my DD would have been in her borough, it’s likely she would have been more successful.
Now that we are going to School A, it will be something I’m going to bring up with them to see if we can possibly put it in place for the future.
’masks beautifully’ are they for real? Do they understand what masking actually is??? There is nothing beautiful about a square peg bashingvthemselves into a round hole silently, without any relief, all day….

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TeenPlusCat · 11/06/2022 06:12

Fab Grin

PanelChair · 11/06/2022 00:28

Great news! Well done.

PatriciaHolm · 10/06/2022 22:44

Oh great! Well done. Must be a great relief!

LargeLegoHaul · 10/06/2022 22:18

That is good news.

@WhatNowwwww you can get EHCPs for DC who mask and appear ‘fine’ at school.

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 10/06/2022 22:10

That's good news Smile

WhatNowwwww · 10/06/2022 22:04

OhRex · 10/06/2022 21:20

UPDATE we won 🙌🏻

Congratulations OP I’m really pleased for you! It also gives me some hope when my DC is at that stage.
We’re also getting told there’s no point applying for an EHCP. DC masks beautifully is how the OT put it. School say the teacher isn’t struggling to deal with him so it’s not necessary. They don’t care how much he’s quietly struggling and not sleeping because of the anxiety school causes him.
Do you think you’ll ask for a needs assessment again now?

Stradbroke · 10/06/2022 21:58

Wow. Well done. What a great advocate for your daughter you are.

Lougle · 10/06/2022 21:31

That's great news!!!

Original poster
OhRex · 10/06/2022 21:21

SOOOOOOOOOOOO relieved

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Original poster
OhRex · 10/06/2022 21:20

UPDATE we won 🙌🏻

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PatriciaHolm · 08/06/2022 16:39

I'm glad it went well! Fingers crossed. My LA try to get letters out asap so hopefully yours will be quick.

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 08/06/2022 14:55

Damn I wish I'd seen this yesterday as we were in a similar situation several years ago. Dd with a similar set of diagnoses but we'd had good MN advice. We won the appeal. We subsequently got dd an EHCP that names the school anyway.
Look at the IPSEA website for advice on an application for an EHCNA which will trigger an Ed Psych assessment, hopefully while she's in whichever school she ends up in or at home if you don't get another offer. The LA have made you an offer so they've done what they're obliged to. Your current SENCO has advised you badly.

Original poster
OhRex · 08/06/2022 14:41

UPDATE
I think it went well! The panel were sympathetic and pleased that we attended to give our side of the story. It was formal, but not as scary as I feared it might be. The panel asked questions of us and of the school and LA representative.
Everything crossed now, result hopefully by the end of this week….

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PatriciaHolm · 07/06/2022 18:19

The schools own case, which you should have by now, should state their PAN and how many children they anticipate being on role in each year in September. If It doesn't, you can ask that tomorrow, though I expect the panel will too.

LargeLegoHaul · 07/06/2022 17:26

Your previous posts made it sound like you have actually applied for an EHCNA, the LA agreed to a needs assessment but then refused to issue. In which case when they refused the letter tells you how to appeal.

But your last post suggests you haven’t actually formally applied for an EHCNA? In which case you should apply now and appeal if refused. The majority of appeals are upheld.

You don’t need an EP report to apply for an EHCNA. You can apply for an EHCNA yourself, IPSEA have a model letter you can use.

Some LAs and schools incorrectly tell parents their child won’t get or doesn’t need an EHCP but the parents goes on to successfully apply themselves.

Original poster
OhRex · 07/06/2022 16:53

Thanks @LargeLegoHaul it was not given to me as an option? I didn’t realise you could appeal? The SENCO tried to go ahead and apply for one anyway but was told without the EP report it wouldn’t be allowed?

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Original poster
OhRex · 07/06/2022 16:50

Thanks @PatriciaHolm Thst really worries me that we already made a mistake!

If the appeal fails we stay on the waiting lists for both schools we originally applied for and hope that there is movement. I suppose I could home school her? There is A LOT of movement where we live and if you are sub 30 on a waitlist now, there is still a good chance of getting in. But that is no guarantee.

The letters all name School A as the school each practitioner believes would be the best outcome for her.

Where do I find info on PAN??

The EHCP was turned down in June 2021.

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LargeLegoHaul · 07/06/2022 16:16

Did you appeal the refusal to issue? When was the EHCP refused? If it was within the last 2 months you can still appeal. If it was longer than that reapply as soon as you get to the 6 month mark (you can apply again sooner than that but as a needs assessment has been carried out you don’t have the right of appeal within 6 months so should wait until then).

PatriciaHolm · 07/06/2022 15:52

Notagain76 · 07/06/2022 15:40

When you go to appeal be honest and explain every little detail, if you don’t win appeal, appeal again. If all else fails see if a social worker can help

If your appeal fails, you can't appeal for the same school for the same year again, unless there is a significant and material change in circumstances. You could appeal again in a year's time for Year 8.

A social worker will have no influence over schools. Pushing for an EHCP would give more options - when was the previous application?

Notagain76 · 07/06/2022 15:40

When you go to appeal be honest and explain every little detail, if you don’t win appeal, appeal again. If all else fails see if a social worker can help

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