SEN - EHCP- Neurodivergent- mainstream & independent

[Biscuits01]

Thoughts on secondary Blenheim and Richard Challenor - DD neurodivergent with EHCP - Senco department and pastoral care any good please? Also any good secondary schools in general too independent and mainstream . DD has an EHCP

Richard Challoner is boys only until sixth form.

Hi all, advice please, looking at independent secondary school for DS who has learning delay. DS has an EHCP but when we consulted the independent school, we were advised standard one liner ‘they couldn’t meet his needs’. Seems they aren’t interested in children who need support.
The LA don’t consultant with an IS, so naming them in his AR plan will not work. Any advice from anyone who has been in the same boat? thank you

You would be better starting your own thread and including where you are and whether you are looking for mainstream or special schools.

Unfortunately many independent mainstream schools aren’t supportive of SEN.

LAs can consult with independent schools, but if they are wholly independent you need an offer of a place in order for the school to be named in the EHCP, the LA can’t name them if there isn’t an offer of a place. And you need to prove the LA’s proposed schools can’t meet DC’s needs &/or it isn’t unreasonable public expenditure.

Yes I can only advise you to look elsewhere for the reasons @JustKeepBuilding gives.

Even if they were to offer you a place, and you pursued LA to name them, you would have prove that other (cheaper) schools suggested by the LA are not able to meet need. For that, you need to become an expert on all the local schools where the LA might try to place her. So get stuck into what's available locally, and then cast your net wider as you need to. If you find the perfect school much further away and they want her, great, but you can't skip the step of considering closer, less expensive options including the state sector.

If you are in Ewell, Ewell Castle and Kingswood House have excellent SEN provision.

We are in Essex and we would obviously pay the schools fees as standard and the LA confirmed that they would pay her ehcp top up to the school named in her plan. But it’s becoming clearer the independent just don’t want to have a child with SEN. It’s a great school where family members have attended previously and full of opportunities, but we just can’t get them to offer her a place. 😞

All they get is the top up as the independent schools don't have a notional SEN budget. Additionally, depending on your child's needs, they may not have any staff experienced or skilled in meeting the needs, plus will have to pay (or you would) for any outside support or advice from professionals.

All they get is the top up as the independent schools don't have a notional SEN budget.

If the school is named in an EHCP the LA pay the fees and the full cost of the SEN support.

Littlelamb18 As it is a MS independent you will need an offer of a place and many MS independents aren’t supportive of SEN.

Do you have it in writing the LA will pay for the SEN Support? Sometimes LAs will come to an agreement whereby parents pay the fees and the LA pay the SEN support. But not all will all the time. Some will say the parents are making suitable alternative arrangements thereby relieving them of their duties and they won’t pay fees or SEN support. If it’s named in the EHCP the LA can pay both.

The best advice I've been given: it may be a great school, but that doesn't mean it's a great school for this child. Let go of this one. He deserves better than being sent somewhere that doesn't want him.

Unfortunately this country discriminated against private schools & high ability group in general, SEN kids in private schools don’t get any support from government.

Sorry I didn’t see this before I posted my reply & there is no edit function!

Last year I check EHCP is not eligible for independent students to apply. But from what your local authority, it looks like it’s possible?

"It’s a great school where family members have attended previously and full of opportunities, but we just can’t get them to offer her a place"

You really don't want your DD going to a school which doesn't want her. Why haven't you considered state as well as private?

I am currently watching two children completely fall apart in the same independent as both families are completely insistent that their children are in the right place (and I expect they mislead the school regarding diagnosis/needs).

These poor children are falling further and further behind, are sadly often excluded by their more able peers and their self-esteem is falling through the floor. They will either be managed out (and if so hopefully the parents will finally find the right setting) or will limp through and have had the most miserable time (and possible knock on issues with mental health etc.)

You need to find a school that absolutely wants your daughter and is prepared to help her. Their needs have absolutely nothing to do with other family members and perceived 'opportunities'.

SEN kids in private schools don’t get any support from government.

They can and many do. Some DC with EHCPs attend independent schools.

Last year I check EHCP is not eligible for independent students to apply.

Anyone can apply for an EHCNA, and an independent school can be named in an EHCP.

Thanks a lot! That’s a relief to know and great to Know kids go to private schools can also get support from government!