Greycoat & EHCP

[Tash45]

We need to apply in October for Secondary school for DD2. She has an ECHP and we are thinking of putting Greycoat as first choice. What are people experiences of this school, especially for children in low ability? She has issues with receptive language, she is catching up but is a bit behind, especially in english.

DD1 is also considering for A level, but she is very academic and does well at school.

Just checking here so don’t bite my head off but you do know that if you get any school named on an ECHP, then that’s a done deal with no applications or “choices”?

I’ve only ever heard very good things about Greycoats. I can’t comment more specifically that’s that but have a bump.

Thank you. I was not aware of this. I probably should have said that the school is in the process of applying for an EHCP and they said they have a very strong case so they hope DD2 will get one.

I am glad I posted this though as I didn't know we have to name a school in the EHCP, I thought we still had to apply as normal. If she gets granted and EHCP do we name just one school or can we name various schools?

If a school is named on a ECHP then they basically have to take you- as you fall under the highest admission category so think carefully about the school you get named and make sure it will support by our daughter in the best way. Does her current school have any suggestions?

We were in a very similar situation 2 years ago with my sister. Here's is what happens:
You apply and they say no. You appeal and the whole thing takes much longer than 20 weeks due to various excuses. Alternatively they say yes straight away and the whole thing still takes very long. We applied in March 2018 and had the final draft with the primary school named on the 31 October 2018. This meant that we missed the secondary school EHCP meetings that happen in September and had no guidance.
We did our own research and had to give 3 schools. We found out what school we got in Feb so we had a chance to appeal before the national allocation appeals.
In that period between us giving the choices and our school being given, the LA will send our your documents to the 3 schools you've requested. You can request however many schools you like, 3 is the min in our borough. The school then meets with its gov body and they decide whether they can take your DD on. If they do, you will get the place. If they don't, they have to give you a reason and you have the right to appeal.

My sister has DLD which mostly effects her expressive lang and we actually looked at grey costs. Ended up putting Marylebone as a 3rd choice. PM me if you want any info, I did all of this for my mum so very used to the system.

If she gets granted and EHCP do we name just one school or can we name various schools?

Once you’ve got to the point that a school is being named on the final draft, it’s already been established that that school can meet her needs and so that’s that. Just the one school named and they are legally obliged to give her a place once it’s finalised.

What I did while we were going through the process was make contact with all the schools we were interested in and ask for a chat with the SENCO about my child’s specific needs. Those conversations told me a lot about the schools, their attitudes and approaches.

Thank you everybody. This is all very helpful. It seems all a bit complicated. I better read more about and start contacting schools.

The options are the big local comprehensive which is walking distance and she will have local friends but it is very big and I will be much for her or Greycoats which seems smaller and more nurturing but she will have to get one bus or one train, her oldest sister may end going there for Six Form too.

If we don't have the EHCP in October do we just apply for secondary school in the normal process? and if gets granted later do we just change? or just wait until the whole thing is decided. ?

If the EHCP has been applied for then you should have a decision about whether or not it will be granted within 16 weeks of the application being sent in, and if it's a decision to issue an EHCP then you should have the final plan by week 20. When was it applied for?

The reason I ask is that you say "school is in the process of applying for an EHCP" - but if they haven't actually applied yet, they really need to get their skates on and do it now this week, in order to make the transition to the right secondary school seamless. If they have applied, then knowing where the 20 week process has got to will help you decide what the best way forward regarding school applications is :)

@BoobsOnTheMoon

The reason I ask is that you say "school is in the process of applying for an EHCP" - but if they haven't actually applied yet, they really need to get their skates on and do it now this week, in order to make the transition to the right secondary school seamless. If they have applied, then knowing where the 20 week process has got to will help you decide what the best way forward regarding school applications is :)

The school have not applied yet as they were waiting the return to school to do a couple more assessment. I will start chasing .

By the way. We only need to apply for Secondary Schools this year but she will start year 7 in September 2022.

I am still not entirely sure whether we need the ECHP before starting school in September 2022, or before schools are allocated in March 2022, or by the time we have to do the application in October 2021.

You don't need to wait for the school to do any more assessments, you can apply for an EHCNA yourself now. IPSEA have a model letter you can use.

You don't need to have the EHCP finalised by October 2021 or March 2022. If you don't have a finalised EHCP by October you should apply for a secondary place via the normal admissions route just in case. Better to apply and not need it than not apply and wish you had. If DD is later awarded an EHCP the school named in it will override your previous application.

I won’t reference your area since you’ve obviously had second thoughts about posting it, so I will just say that your local borough will have a “Parent Partnership” which is a service to provide parents with information about SEN provision in local schools and support you through the ECHP process if you want. So make contact with them. Occasionally they are called something other than “parent partnership” but your local council will advise you. Don’t just trust the school’s advice and timings without betting your own advice.

Getting not betting

Thank you everybody for all the information. I will look at the parent partnership and will read more about ECHP and the process. I definitely know more now with all the information you have kindly given me.

I only found out a few weeks ago that we could have applied directly for an EHCP; the school suggested it so I think they may have a better chance of being successful as they have more experience with the process.

The only legal test for a needs assessment is has or may have SEN and may need SEN provision to be made via and EHCP. Any other test the LA want you to meet or hoops to jump through are unlawful - such as school spending £6, being 2yrs behind academically, 2 assess/plan/do/review cycles.

Some LA's parent partnership/SENDIAS are brilliant, especially for local school knowledge, but they aren't all, and they receive LA funding so will ultimately toe the party line. I think IPSEA and SOSSEN are better. The SN boards on here are also supportive.