To be upset over school allocation

[Wineandpyjamas]

I know I probably am BU but surely I can’t be the only one?

We are 0.3 miles from our preferred school - it’s the closest one to us. My DD has a physical disability and this school is the only fully accessible one in the area. Looked around it and loved it.

Our 3rd option was the huge, estate primary which hasn’t got ‘requires improvement’ on its last two inspections with particular improvement needed in... SEN provision. It’s been undersubscribed for years.

I wake up this morning and DD has been offered a place at the third choice. I suspect it’s all sibling intake at the others.

I’ve ended up in tears thinking I’ve failed DD. I don’t know what more we could have done. It seems so unfair the way they select these things.

I know OFSTED isn’t the be all and end all of everything and I am trying to think positively but it’s early in the morning, I’ve just found out and I’m very emotional.

AIBU to have a good cry and wallow? (And then put my big girl pants on and get on with it!)

OP I really feel for you, having been in a similar situation myself.

Please contact IPSEA if you are in the UK.
(Independent Parental Special Education Advice)
www.ipsea.org.uk

They are amazing. They helped us get my nephew into the right school, and are very helpful with regards to the legalities of SEN.

Local Authorities aren't always as helpful as they should be, and unfortunately it often takes the parent to fight hard to get what the child is entitled to.

Most important thing right now is getting a EHCP in place, once you have that things will be easier.

You can apply for an EHCP without the Nursery. You can include evidence from your GP, her consultants etc. And you can still name a school.

IPSEA are amazing. And if you can't get them to help try SOSEN www.sossen.org.uk/ whose helpline is very

Been there done that, had my DDs EHCP rejected but got the school I wanted as in catchment so not overly worried.

Good luck

Do you know why your HV and nursery have decided not to help you with the EHCP process? This sounds really odd, especially as you referred to the nursery already having SEN support in place for your DD. It sounds like the agencies supporting your DD have let you down somewhat by not informing you of the EHCP process and the options available to you before you did the school application.

Unfortunately, as some others have said already on this thread, the only way to guarantee the school of your choice is to have it named in section i of the child’s EHCP. Even having an EHCP doesn’t guarantee that the LA will agree to name the parents’ choice of school.

Do definitely appeal, and I would also start the process to request an assessment for an EHCP. Many parents do do this themselves. We did it for our DS and were successful in obtaining one at our first attempt, although it takes a good few months to process and by the time DS’s was in place he’d already been in YR for a month without 1:1 support.

Good luck OP - I hope you can get it all sorted.