EHCP / grammar / catchment areas / Woodford County

[schooladvice100]

Our eldest daughter (Year 4) has diagnoses of ASD and ADHD, is on meds for ADHD. We are currently sorting out her EHCP. She is quite bright and we are thinking about grammar school for her: it's girls only which I find reassuring given her naivety and possible vulnerability to sexual exploitation from the ASD side of things, and I also think she'd thrive in an academically focussed environment. She's stronger on sciences.

The grammar we are considering (Woodford County) is in the neighbouring borough, and the catchment area doesn't include where we currently live (Tower Hamlets). I know that it is possible to sit the 11 plus without living in the catchment area. We were planning to move to Walthamstow in the next few years for various reasons (inside the catchment area). My question is, if we are resident in Tower Hamlets and put Woodford County down on her EHCP, and she sat and passed the 11 plus, would that override the catchment area requirement, to allow her to be offered a place? Or would she be turned down, even if she passed and it was EHCP named? We are trying to work out the time scale to move, and being resident from the point of applying for the 11 plus means starting to look to buy in late 2023, and possibly moving two years before she'd be starting school there. Or we could rent in Walthamstow - but are they likely to be funny about that? Either way we are hoping to hang on to our Tower Hamlets flat and rent it out. We are currently very happy with her Primary school in Tower Hamlets.

If the school was named on the EHCP and she passed the 11+, then yes she would get a place - the EHCP effectively guarantees a place, though in the case of a grammar the child needs to pass the 11+ as well.

Oh really!? That's fantastic. So Redbridge County wouldn't have a problem with overriding the catchment area for the school? Or funding a Tower Hamlets resident? (Or would Tower Hamlets pay, despite being out of borough?) I just want to be really clear on those points.

I do understand this is all very speculative currently, depending on 11 plus.

And thank you @PatriciaHolm !

Name change fail there...

If the grammar is named in the EHCP it must admit. Normal catchment areas don’t apply to EHCP admissions.

Be aware if you move LA with an EHCP the new LA will review the EHCP and potentially amend, reassess or even cease to maintain. Obviously you would be able to appeal any such decision but it is added stress and always a risk.

The LA you reside in can, and must unless they can prove one of the exceptions applies, name the school even if the LA the school is in object. Don’t worry about funding, it isn’t your concern, pupils go to school across LA borders all the time.

That is fantastic news! A massive weight off my mind. She currently has 1:1 support at school, but I'm not sure she will need it by the time she is older. The ADHD meds have been really helpful. So if they reviewed it once she we relocated, they wouldn't be able to withdraw her place once she was in the school would they?

Also, does anyone know if it is likely to be a hard sell to get a Grammar school in a different county named on an ECHP? I've mentioned it on and off in a speculative way during her CAMHS assessments, and they have made noises that they could see it would be a good fit for her. I'm not even sure what the process is tbh - get the school to draft it into the EHCP, and then the council to confirm it? We haven't pushed through the EHCP as the school put the 1:1 support in about 2 years ago, even without the EHCP, so it's been two years being drafted.

When the new LA review the EHCP if they amend they could, in theory, name a different school. In a state MS they are less likely to name a different school. If it was an expensive independent it would be more likely.

The LA must name your preference (unless it is wholly independent which doesn’t apply here) unless if they can prove:
-The setting is unsuitable for the age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs (“SEN”) of the child or young person; or
-The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education for others; or
-The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources.
However that doesn’t stop LAs naming a different school and forcing parents to appeal.

In the autumn term of Y6 those with EHCPs have a phase transfer review and the EHCP amended by 15th February naming the secondary placement.

If an EHCNA request was submitted 2 years ago the LA are well over the timescales. Email the Director of Children’s Services with IPSEA’s model letter and threatening judicial review if they don’t finalise ASAP as they are frustrating your right of appeal. If that doesn’t work contact SOSSEN for help with a pre-action letter.

Hi. My story is similar to yours. My son has ASD and is bright. He has EHCP as well. I too is looking forward to trying for grammar school but is sceptical whether the school is going to accept him or not and have all the questions as yours. Just dropped down to ask you about daughter's update. My son will be sitting for the exam next year.