Applying for a special school

[UndertheCedartree]

Can someone tell me what the process is, please? Is it the same time scales that an application has to be done by January in the year they start school?

Does your child have an EHCP? Your caseworker should be helping you through this process really.

Without an EHCP you can't just apply for a special school.

Does the child have an EHCP? They will only get into a special school with that. Also time scales for special schools don't really apply in the same way they do for mainstream.

Unless the school takes private students you need to ask to be assessed for an ehcp, or have your ehcp reviewed naming the school you want.

Start by contacting your local SENDIASS team and ask them for advice on what to do.

It's not my DC, I'm asking for a family member so I don't know all the details but I believe his nursery was looking at getting him an EHCP. He has a 1:1 at nursery and is non-verbal.

@UndertheCedartree he can carry on in mainstream school or a mainstream with a unit attached that suits his presentation or progress to special school. Suggest his parents post in the SN section as they will get more focused advice with all the details correct. If they’re on their way to an EHCP part of that process is about what support is needed. Do they claim all the benefits the child is entitled to? Have they access to all the support they need?

Are they in England ? (is different in different countries)

If they are due to start Reception in Sept 24, then I strongly advise them to apply through the usual Primary admission route for their local school. Note this MUST be in by 15th January if they are due to start school in September.

If then then go on to get an EHCP, they will be asked during that process (usually right at the end when it is in draft stage) which school they would like to apply for. If In the unlikely event there are any places and the school decides they can meet the child's needs, then they can withdraw from the place they have at the local school.
Most likely scenario though is that there won't be any spaces at special school and if they haven't applied for a place through Primary admissions, they will be without a school place anywhere.